Need help evaluating Intellipap results

[sleepergal]

I've been using the Resmed S9 with the Swift FX mask for a year with great results. But recently, the cheek straps have started irritating my cheeks (even with the padacheeks covers). In order to let my inflamed cheeks heal, I used my Intellipap travel machine last night with the CL2 mask, which doesn't touch my cheeks. (My understanding from reading posts is that the CL2 can only be used with cpap machines, not apap, so I set my Intellipap to the cpap setting.)

When I looked at my Intellipap display info this morning, they were pretty typical for the Intellipap (which I normally only use for infrequent travel) - around 4.5 AHI. Since my Resmed S9 results are normally under .4, and I'm about to leave for a 10 day trip, I decided to actually load my Intellipap software and take a look at the detailed results. So the detailed report for last night indicated that my AHI was 3.7, my AI was .1 and my HI was 3.6. The average leak was 49. Looking at the history charts (going back to 2009 through my periodic travel periods) the AHI was fairly consistent as was the leak rate at about 40/50. The leak rate was really surprising because when I've used the Intellipap while traveling, I've always checked the machine display numbers and my AHI was generally 2.5 - 4.5 but the leak rate always showed as zero. I've been concerned about my high AHI numbers on the Intellipap for awhile but didn't really worry about it since I don't travel that much. Now I'm looking at having to use the Intellipap for an extended healing/travel period and wondering if I need to figure out what's going on.

Should I be concerned about the AHI level? Is the leak rate too high? Is there something wrong with my machine because the daily readout always shows a zero leak rate?

Thanks in advance for any advice/info anyone can offer.

[Emilia]

Hi.... DeVilbiss doesn't score Large Leaks until you hit 95. Not being familiar with the mask you wore, I don't know what the acceptable leak rate is for that one, but 45 is nothing to worry about on an IP. If your AHI is under 5 you are doing great. The algorithms are quite different on the IP than the S9 so don't compare apples and oranges. DeVilbiss says an AHI under 10 is acceptable, but I have a hard time buying into that as I know I feel differently when I have an AHI of 3 compared to my almost constant 1.5.

As for your leaks showing 0 on the machine window compared to the software.... if you look at the summary graph on the software printout, you will note that the Leak line is empty, too. Because your leak was under 95 it will not show up. The detailed info on the leak is there for your information, but it isn't high enough to 'count'.

Hope that helps.... I will send you a link to download a good publication from DeVilbiss that explains their algorithm. Check your PM's for that..... If you need the clinician's manual, let me know.

[sleepergal]

Hi Emilia,

Wow, what a difference good info makes! I really like my Intellipap, especially for travel, and am thrilled that the results I've been getting are just fine. I'll carefully read the info that I downloaded using the link you provided, and I really appreciate your offer to provide additional info if needed. Thanks so much!!!

[Emilia]

I don't know why you think your CL2 mask can't be used with an apap. It is a nasal pillow mask like your FX is.... either would work with cpap or apap as far as I can tell.