Husband’s mixed AHI is 81 / new DX, need advice

[Vsylvestre]

Husband recently diagnosed via Lofta. Total ahi 81

I was after him for 10 years to get a study. Refused to go into a place to have it done. Finally agreed to do the at home test.

Obstructive is severe, ahi 56, 02 lowest at 56%

Central is moderate, ahi 25

Cheyne Stokes respirations 36% of the study

Looking at machines. First was recommended the resmed ST. But I read up and saw the resmed ASV is really the machine for all his issues, and looks like it auto adjusts without him having to do it himself.

We know he needs the echo ASAP if we go with the ASV.

Ideas? Advice? Comments?

[Pugsy]

The S/T doesn't do a good job dealing with obstructive apnea IMHO. It will do a good job if someone only has central apnea.
We get people here frequently with both central apnea and obstructive apnea on S/T machines and they aren't doing so great.

The S/T can potentially been configured to adequately deal with obstructive apnea but it's not easy and what people might end up having to use is not very comfortable at all.

ASV machines will do a better job...be more comfortable and will give the person a better chance of having successful therapy and feeling better much sooner.
It will auto adjust as needed for both kinds of apneas....the S/T models can't do that.

If I or a familiar member had a diagnosis of mixed apnea.....I would push strongly for ASV and in fact wouldn't accept anything else.

[Miss Emerita]

You must be so relieved that he finally did the test! I don't have the expertise to advise you about machines, but it is a good sign that your provider recognizes an ordinary PAP machine isn't going to address severe mixed apnea.

You have probably been reading information like this:

https://aasm.org/special-safety-notice- ... t-failure/

While there is now some skepticism about the advice based on this study, in your place I would most certainly want my husband to have a measure of his LVEF, and I would want him to be assessed for heart failure, given the CS finding.

So yes, next stop cardiology, in my non-expert opinion. It's frustrating to know there may be delay due to the pandemic, isn't it? I hope you can get more help from the primary care physician or cardiologist soon.