Central Apnea common?

Hello

On my S9 data, once or twice a week a central apnea will show up with an index of .03 or less. While my total apnea index is usually under 1.0, from your experience do you think the S9 is really accurate enough to detect a central apnea and how common is it for obstructive apnea paients to a have a few central apnea episodes? Thanks

tektrek68 wrote:Hello

On my S9 data, once or twice a week a central apnea will show up with an index of .03 or less. While my total apnea index is usually under 1.0, from your experience do you think the S9 is really accurate enough to detect a central apnea and how common is it for obstructive apnea paients to a have a few central apnea episodes? Thanks

Well, a couple things in that regard. First, both the Respironics and the Resmed units most accurately report "clear airway" apneas. That is they can and do measure correctly if you have an obstruction or not. But that does not mean it is what is normally classed as a "central apnea". What's the difference, you wonder. Well, often when we transition to or from sleep as our bodies shift from one mode of breathing control to another (the control mechanisms are different when we are awake compared to when we are asleep), we can experience an apnea that is not due to an obstruction. However, since this occurs during this transitional time, it is not counted as a "central apnea". Additionally, if you awaken and shift about, if you notice you can often hold your breath during those shifts. You are awake and holding your breath. That's not a "central apnea".

So, with those caveats, yes. the S9 is accurate at reporting a "clear airway" apnea. Of course, at such a small number of occurrences you essentially have no central apneas. Those you have are probably due to the shift to or from sleep. Even a few periodic central apneas (below 5 per hour) is considered perfectly normal. You have almost none. I'ld say you are in good shape in that area.

Hope that helps explain the situation for you.

Excellent information, once again, John!

If you really want to read more on central apnea, here is the link that rested gal put together:
viewtopic.php?p=22702

This part is especially applicable to your situation:

rested gal wrote:At another apnea board:
http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?p=24677

In a reply titled "Nope" sleepydave (RRT, RPSGT and manager of an accredited sleep center) responds to honda's question:

honda wrote:
"Thanks for the comments, one other question though, do the 4 central apneas have any significance ?"

"None whatsoever.
sleepydave"

sleepydave's nicknames on cpaptalk are "StillAnotherGuest" (SAG) "Muffy" and "NotMuffy"