What is Flow Limitation?

IBTeri · Post by **IBTeri** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:50 pm

I see this but I really have no clue what it is and how important or not important it is.

ddpelp · Post by **ddpelp** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:25 pm

My understanding (which may get corrected) a FL is an almost Hypo and a Hypo is an almost Apnea.. kinda like 3 2 1

puffing billy · Post by **puffing billy** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:30 pm

Go to this site

http://www.resmed.com
Patients
About Sleep & Breathing
Sleep-Disordered Breathing

There is an excellent video which explains all

IBTeri · Post by **IBTeri** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:24 pm

Its strange my ahi is low but my flow limitation and snore index is high. Does that mean I have a differant problem than OSA?

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:37 pm

[quote="puffing billy"]Go to this site

http://www.resmed.com
Patients
About Sleep & Breathing
Sleep-Disordered Breathing

There is an excellent video which explains all

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:49 pm

it is a less severe hypopnea and/or an obstruction not meeting all the criteria that defines what a hypopnea is;

That being:

50% reduction in airflow lasting >10 seconds associated with at least a 3% drop in SAO2 levels.

So if it is only 49% reduction in flow it is a FL
if it doesn't have at least 3% drop in SAO2 it is a FL
if it only lasts <10 seconds in duration it is a FL

Since most autopaps don't have integrated SAO2 monitoring integrated, they rely on reductions in air flow seen and duration (time) to determine what a hypopnea is.

IBTeri · Post by **IBTeri** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 3:26 pm

Thanks that helps me understand more.

JimInAL · Post by **JimInAL** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 3:26 pm

So what does it mean when my M-Series APAP consistently reports my "flow limitation" in the 35% to 45% range?

Is that amount of time that I'm in a flow limitation state, or is it the average severity of my flow limitation?

The flow limitation isn't reported by EncorePro, but it is reported by Encore Pro Analyzer (hope I got the name right).

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 3:43 pm

JimInAL wrote:So what does it mean when my M-Series APAP consistently reports my "flow limitation" in the 35% to 45% range?

Is that amount of time that I'm in a flow limitation state, or is it the average severity of my flow limitation?

The flow limitation isn't reported by EncorePro, but it is reported by Encore Pro Analyzer (hope I got the name right).

Yes it is. It's in your "Sleep Therapy Flags" report in your "Sleep Therapy Daily Details". Look for "FL" on the left side.

Den

Mask

Additional Comments: Encore Pro 1.8