Asv

Hi again everyone. Just wondering when a Dix would prescribe asv over bipap? And what conditions would warrant such a device.

ASV would be prescribed when someone has complex or central sleep apnea. Their breathing is often "waxing and waning" which basically means they breathe really shallow then it increases then goes shallow again. They also have complete cessation in breathing - their thorax and abdomen don't move. It's different from obstructive sleep apnea where your throat is actually collapsing. Instead central sleep apnea is to do with the brain not sending messages properly.

Bilevel can either be for comfort when someone cannot tolerate high pressures on CPAP, or for hypoventilaton (when the lungs don't remove carbon dioxide properly).