Average Leak 40.3...is it normal

spartan · Post by **spartan** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:22 am

Encore pro report shows

Large leaks: 0Mins
Average Leak: 40.3 Mins
AHI: 9.2

Do I worry about Average Leak or AHI?

Thanks for your comments.

t-bone · Post by **t-bone** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:35 am

Since your mask is rated for about 38 liters per minute at 10cm pressure, I would not be so worried about a leak rate of 40.3 (there should be a table in your owner's manual telling you what the leak rate is for your pressure). However, if your leak duration is 40.3 minutes, that is a different issue. THAT needs attention.

The AHI is a bit high yet, but it's bound to be better than your non-CPAP rate. Once you get your leak duration down, the system will be better able to help get the AHI down.

spartan · Post by **spartan** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:08 am

I got this mask yesterday. DME gave me just the mask and no manuals/cd with it. After reading your post, I searched online for a manual with no luck. I guess, I will have to go back to dme on monday .

Yes, my average pressure <= 90% of time is 10 cm and leak rate is 40.3 lpm. looks like I am ok!!

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:17 am

You can check here for leak rates;

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/leak-rates-1.html

Hope it helps

Brenda

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:28 am

spartan,

As you found out, that vent/leak rate is fine.
I just wanted to clue you in on adjusting the tension of the headgear. Don't get it too tight that it's uncomfortable. There's kind of a fine line where you find the "just right" spot. Leave the top straps quite loose and put most of the tension on the lower straps. I have my forehead pads in the full-upright position.

Here's a link to the mask on the ResMad site.

http://resmed.com/portal/site/ResMedUS/ ... nPNum=null

Best wishes,

Den

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:29 pm

Unfortunately, I wasn't given the paperwork w/my ComfortLite 2 either. Does anyone know the leak rate for the CL2 nasal cushion?

That chart Brenda gave us the URL for is great. Now, if only additional mask leak rates could be added when known.

My IHP was set at 6 w/EPR of 2 but I have no idea where things are at yet w/this loaner AutoPap. I'm dragging my feet returning it until my 'puter guru can get over here and install my EncorePro and DT3500. I don't want to chance my accidentally erasing the data card when I download the info off of it - besides which my insurance is being charged $135 for the rental and $135 is what they charge for a full month's rental for my Elite so I don't feel guilty running past the original 2 weeks loan of this Auto w/C-Flex. Altho they did call me this week asking me to come in and get the info downloaded so we'd know what pressure to set my Elite at. I managed an excuse for this next week. But I can't go past the 17th! The month ends then.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:05 pm

Mask leak is only one aspect, yours doesn't appear high, I wouldn't worry about a leak unless it got over 50L/m. Your mask has a given leak flow rate at the pressure rate. Should be included on a chart that came with the mask. You look at the chart, find your 90% pressure then see the corresponding flow rate. If you have no "external" leak that leak rate should correspond with values shown on the mask flow chart. All masks are different and have different flow rates.

AHI: Your AHI is made up by adding the number of Hypopnea and Apnea events together divided by 60 for an hourly score.

Your goal should be to get that AHI number down to 5 or below (or what a Normal non-OSA patient would have). In order to determine the cause, you need to look at the numbers and determine if one is higher than the other.

Hypopnea typically runs higher than OA (obstructive apnea). Your AHi is currently 9.x. So to start, you look at what makes up that score, if OA is below 3 than the other 6 events have to be from Hypopnea. If OA is above 3 then it could mean your Max pressure setting is not high enough. Goal should be to get OA lower first then Hi or Hypopnea should follow. If OA is already low and that AHI=9 is made up mainly of Hyponea, then you would try increasing the Min. pressure by 1cm at a time to see if the Hi score drops, if it does your overall AHI will be lower as a result.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:47 pm

AHI: Your AHI is made up by adding the number of Hypopnea and Apnea events together divided by 60 for an hourly score.

AHI is the number of events DIVIDED by the number of hours slept.

Brenda

Mask

Additional Comments: sleep is good

Average Leak 40.3...is it normal

Average Leak 40.3...is it normal

My opinion