Large Leaks and Unclassified Apnea Indexing -OSCAR

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Craig H
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2023 12:38 am

Large Leaks and Unclassified Apnea Indexing -OSCAR

Post by Craig H » Mon Apr 14, 2025 4:16 pm

I now have Oscar Data from CPAP useage since July 2023 when I started.

Something I see is a corresponding relation ship between Large Leaks and Unclassified Apnea . High % LL = High UC events

UCs are my major AHI events by far (the others are insignificant) but obviously they all contribute to the AHI total score by addition.

My question is...Are UCs actual events or fake" events by virtue that the machine cant read and categorise them as anything else.

FWIW - I sleep well and the sleep therapy works very well what ever my AHI scores are.

Side note : have just changed to a new mask style in the last week and I am monitoring the results.
(F&P Evora from an F&P Vitera)

User avatar
Dog Slobber
Posts: 4159
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:05 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Large Leaks and Unclassified Apnea Indexing -OSCAR

Post by Dog Slobber » Tue Apr 15, 2025 12:54 pm

The ResMed Algorithm uses a Forced Oscillation Technique to classify events as either Obstructive or Central. Basicly it rapidly changes pressure (1cm) at 4 Hz. It then measure the actual pressure change, a greater pressure change and the event is marks as Obstructive, less change and Central.

With high leaks and the resulting higher flow, the pressure difference becomes increasing unreliable and ResMed won't classify it.

This is the preferred behaviour because the algorithm responds to OAs by increasing pressure, but won't increase pressure for CAs. Incorrectly increasing pressure on misdiagnosed CAs can be disastrous and cause the pressure to run-away causing more CAs, which in turn can cause higher pressures.

So no, it's likely not fake events.