What's with this janky flow rate?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Bijingus
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2023 1:58 pm

What's with this janky flow rate?

Post by Bijingus » Tue Mar 14, 2023 2:07 pm

I'm pretty sure I have UARS based off of two WatchPat studies (which showed RDI > 30 and low AHI) as well as symptoms that fit perfectly. After much research, I bought a Resmed 10 Vauto and I'm trying to self titrate because it's freaking impossible in Canada to find help. You could have 1000 RERAs in a night and they'll give you the all clear.

Anyway, there are a few flow limitations in the data that have the flat top, but mostly rounded tops. Lots of jankyness (I think that's the proper scientific term) on expiration though. Is this snoring, flow limitation on exhale, or just some sort of noise that I shouldn't worry about?

Appreciate the help!
snoring.png
snoring.png (229.67 KiB) Viewed 236 times
flow-rate.png
flow-rate.png (77.77 KiB) Viewed 232 times

User avatar
Miss Emerita
Posts: 3416
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:07 pm

Re: What's with this janky flow rate?

Post by Miss Emerita » Tue Mar 14, 2023 3:01 pm

Some of that is jankiness (snore maybe, or a bit of crud rattling in your pharynx?), and some of it is probably cardioballistic effect (aka cardioballistic artifact). Where your flow rate shows small fluctuations around the zero line, that's probably your heartbeat telegraphing its pulsation to your airway. It's absolutely nothing to worry about; a fair number of people have it (including me). The jankiness is where you see little serrations as you inhale.
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

Bijingus
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2023 1:58 pm

Re: What's with this janky flow rate?

Post by Bijingus » Tue Mar 14, 2023 3:19 pm

Cardioballistic effect makes total sense. I've had a few treatment induced central apneas and the signal doesn't go flat, it just looks janky/noisy. So, yeah, heart rate telegraphing its pulsation through my airway fits. Thank you!