Auto-pap use and 420E question

I was considering getting an autopap unit. I mainly want to be able to record and review sleep stats, but also I think my therapy benefit has decreased in the last several months with no real changes in my person.

Does an autopap get set to only vary the pressure up to the prescribed cpap pressure or does it adjust to whatever is necessary? For example, on the 420E the spec says it varies from 4cm to 20cm. If my prescription is for a 10cm cpap, will the 420E be preset to vary from 4cm to only 10cm then or still the full 4cm to 20cm range as it senses necessary?

I see on the 420E there is a small tube connector next the the larger one that I am used to plugging my mask hose into. To use autopap's does one have a second small hose running to the mask too? Or is this used for data recording? If I had the 420E with integrated humidifier does that mean my mask hose goes to the humidifier but that smaller hose still goes to the unit? Can anyone explain the purpose or use of the small connection?


Thanks!

Can't help on the 420 E humidifier question, but APAPs can be set to whatever range you want. SO if you titrated level is 10, then it would be wise to set the APAP to say 7 - 13, or whatever range you think works. SOme people like it lower, say 5 - 13 if they think they may have less hypops, but if you set the lower level too low you could increase hypops, especailly during any ramp up time.

I set mine at 5 - 11 with my titrated level at about 8. I don't use any ramp or settling.

Hope this helps

sir_c

The 420E has an additional pressure sensor line which connects to the small tube connector you noticed. It runs down inside the hose until it exits the side of the connector at the machine end. Yes, if you have the humidifier then the mask hose goes to the humidifer and the smaller tube connects to the unit. This forces the humidifer to be physically close to the unit.

The idea is that this tube allows for monitoring the pressure close to the mask allowing for better data to feed into the algorithm.

I was titrated at 8 and find that a setting of 6 to 9 works best for me. Below that I get more hypopneas and many "accoustical vibration" events (snoring). Above 9 I start seeing rising counts of apneas with cardiac oscillations (CSA) which confirms what my titration found.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info, I think I am begining to understand.

Is this small hose used in the area of recording events or information or is it used for the auto function of adjusting pressure? For example, if I didn't use this small hose would I not get data recorded or would the auto adjusting be improper or not function?

I use an Activa and a Swift mask - if this tube is running up the mask hose - I understand it exits the connector at the machine end, but where is it going in the mask end?

My understanding is that the sensor line is used to get a better read of pressures (and therefore events) for the auto algorithm.

The sensor line ends rougly at the end of the hose. It isn't inserted in the mask. At most, depending on the curl of the hose, it might protrude an inch beyond.

It works well with the Swift which I use and all other masks that I've heard of.