Monitoring Leaks and AHI

Newbie question coming. I won't begin my therapy until next week sometime, but I'm trying to get as much information as I can before I start. I decided to go with the Remstar Auto M with A-flex. I've already ordered the software and reader. Question: Can someone explain to me why it is important to watch the leaks if the AHI is say <5?

With leaks above a certain threshold, the machine loses the ability to keep the set pressure, and to detect and report events, so therapy is compromised and data is unreliable.

At lower levels, leaks often wake one up. And arousals are what xPAP is supposed to prevent.

So how would I know what is an acceptable leak value? Another question I have is after reading the card using the software, does it dump the data on the card?

If your leak rate is high or too low, the AHI is unreliable.

To be sure your AHI is close to correct for your mask and your pressure, work to have your leak rate as close to the rate suggested for your pressure in the mask manual as possible. You don't want to be too far over that or too far under that or the AHI is not anywhere near accurate.

brians34 wrote:So how would I know what is an acceptable leak value? Another question I have is after reading the card using the software, does it dump the data on the card?

The manual that comes with a mask usually has the passive vent rates listed. After you check the manual you may still want to post a question here. Let us know your pressure settings.