What is acceptable leak--total and rate?

[Dirty Martini]

I've been a CPAP user for just over two months and believe it is going reasonably well. My compliance is good, and I can tolerate it for at least 6 hours most nights. I haven't heard from my DME or my PCP really about data, and I finally successfully loaded SLeepyhead last pm with the help of computer technician (aka college son home for Thanksgiving). My AHI looks really good, pressure generally pretty consistent, etc.

The one "interpretation" I am ignorant on is leaks. The info out on the internet regarding what is acceptable for leaks (rate and total) is all across the board, and it isn't clear to me on how much is dependent on the machine or the mask.

Would appreciate the insight of an experienced, wise member on the topic.

[Nooblakahn]

Look up to the stickies. There is a very helpful post by pugsy that has alot of helpful information on leaks.

F & P Icon users...your machine reports total leak but their large leak territory number to avoid is 60 L/min.

That should be what your looking to be under. There is alot of helpful information in the 3rd post of the sticky I mentioned.

[Dirty Martini]

Thanks for point. I did see that..... Alas I've seen conflicting info in another spot, so was looking for affirmation. I'll take this one as the "source" based on your recommendation to do so. Appreciate the response!

[Nooblakahn]

No problem. Yeah.. IDK what conflicting info you got.. depends on the machine type.. they are all different. Pugsy knows her stuff.. I'd believe what is posted there

[Pugsy]

For the F & P Icon large leak territory begins at 60 L/min. I found that somewhere in the depths of F & P reading material (and no, I don't have that link handy)...confirmed with viewing Infosmart software reports from an individual using the Icon and actually hitting the 60 L/min (and above) line and getting a reports showing some % of time in large leak.

Now for the older F & P machines...and they also use a different software...the large leak territory number was upwards of 90 L/min. Confirmed years ago when that software and those older model machines were used.

No where was the term "total leak rate" actually mentioned (that I could see) when referring to the Icon's 60 L/min but given that 60 L/min far exceeds any intentional vent rate of any mask at any pressure then I would assume it is total leak similar to Respironics total leak. I have no idea how or why F & P came up with 60 L/min though. I just know that I read it in the literature somewhere. I wish I still had that link to that literature...I think it was some sort of guide to using Infosmart but I either didn't save that link or that link eventually got broken and I removed it from my saved links because I haven't been able to find it again for quite some time...but I am 99.999% sure that I remember it correctly because I also remember seeing the reports from someone who had a leak issue and was using the Icon.

Stay below 60 L/min for the bulk of the night and leaks won't be bad enough to impact therapy pressure.