Non Invasion Positive Pressure Ventilation

So, my DME just called to discuss my doctor's order for a NPPV. I have never heard of this. Is this a kind of BIPAP? Any idea of the cost? She wouldn't tell me without talking to my insurance company first. Does this look like a regular CPAP/BIPAP machine? Is it difficult to use?

You should ask your doctor, but as far as I can tell from a quick search NPPV is just a very generalized term for any kind of ventilation assistance that is not invasive (e.g through the trachea, intubation, etc). CPAP (and bipap and ASV) are forms of NPPV treatment.

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/med ... -pressure/

Phrasing it that way seems to be correlated with "respiratory failure" looking at search results, so it's possible they are implying a more complicated situation for you...maybe requiring bipap or asv, but it's just not clear from saying NPPV alone. CPAP is an NPPV treatment.

Non Invasive...not non Invasion.
If your DME supplies ResMed products then most likely one of the AirCurve 10 bilevel machines and hopefully one that can deal with both central apneas and obstructive apneas.

They aren't cheap. Cost depends on which actual machine you end up with because there are several models. The more they will do....the more they cost.

Most likely either this one
http://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/pr ... 0-asv.html

or this one
http://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/pr ... 10-st.html

But I suppose it wouldn't be impossible for the doctor to be wanting to try regular bilevel without the back up rate capabilities or the breathing for you capabilities.

Most commonly refers to a bi-level device of some sort using a non-invasive interface such as a face or nasal mask. Bi-level just means it has both inhalation (IPAP) and exhalation (EPAP) pressures. It is used often to augment/assist in ventilation via pressure support (difference between IPAP and EPAP),

The most common devices use pressure support, volume assured pressure support, or servo ventilation.

By and large your average bi-level device is small in size...the ResMed S9 ST-A device that I have looks like any other S9 model. I also have a backup device, the AirCurve 10ST, that is also small in size.

Generally the bi-level devices will be more expensive...and even more so when you add additional capabilities like a backup rate, volume assured pressure support, etc,.

According to the doc, the BIPAP on a pressure of 17 eliminated all the central apneas during the sleep study. Not sure if the data I posted reflects that or not. I guess it should. Still, not all of the OSAs under control so she said we'll need to increase the pressure some, so a little more trial and error, but that's fine, at least we're making significant progress.