S9 vs S1 Auto readings

[Valkyrie0]

I have been using a Respironics S1 Auto since Feb. My readings started out high (AHI 8-10 events per hour and percent of night in Periodic breathing between 15-20 ). After some pressure adjustment the readings starting dropping and over time are now about 4 on AHI and 4-6 on periodic breathing. They still jump around somewhat from day to day.

I got an S9 loaner that I've been using for several days now. The AHI is consistent at 1.2 and centrals are at 0.5 events per hour, significantly lower than the S1 Auto readings. The hose, mask and settings have been identical for both machines.

I have a few of questions:

1.Are Resmed's central apnea events per hour and Respironics percent of night in periodic breathing recording the same type of event?
2. If they are they same type of event, how does one correlate them?
2. Is the ResMed really better at reducing AHI's, or is it just a difference in their methods of recording them?
3. I'm not sure if the periodic breathing, or centrals, are better with the ResMed, but I can't see any way a one CPAP machine could reduce them over another. Can they?

Thanks for any insights you can provide.
Jerry

[unadog]

Central apneas and periodic breathing are two different things. The Respironics machines flag periodic breathing, the ResMed do not.

Only the top of the line machines from each manufacturer really address either periodic breathing or centrals. Those are the ASV machines, which run about $5,000 each.

It is good that the newer machines can identify centrals. Their algorythims used to back off of the pressure for fear of causing centrals. So even if they can't treat them, they can more effectively treat the OSA, because they know what kind of apnea they are dealing with.

I would not expect that one machine is giving you better treatment than the other, based only on the numbers. They each have their own ways of measuring and treating events. Absent detailed information, like a lab PSG that compares the machine data to the "real" data that the lab collects from it's additional measurements, we can't really say which is closer to the "correct" count.

So compare the count from the same machine day-to-day to see what the trend looks like. But I wouldn't assume the therapy from one is better than the other based on the numbers.

Any difference in how you feel on either machine? Might be hard to answer without being subconciously biased by the numbers.

Best,
Michael

[Valkyrie0]

Thanks Michael,

you said:

Central apneas and periodic breathing are two different things.

What is the difference between the two? Is my Doc or I better off knowing one vs the other?

Thanks
Jerry