what is leak rate for Bipap?

[snoozie_suzy]

I have been a long time member and user but haven't been to the board for a very long time. I also haven't looked at my info on card reader for a long time either. I switched to Bipap two years ago, and I saved the leak rate info that one of the members posted years back for the different masks. Anyhow for a auto bipap user my 90% IPAP is 13 and my EPAP is 8 what am I using for number the IPAP or EPAP numbers for leak rates?

Thank you so much anyone who knows this info?

Suzy

[ozij]

Hi, snoozie-suzy,
I've often wondered at that too. Academically, I would say an average of both pressures. But practically, I think the average is meaningless and you simply have to study your leak graphs (do you get them separate: one for EPAP one for IPAP?

IO.

[Wulfman]

I have been a long time member and user but haven't been to the board for a very long time. I also haven't looked at my info on card reader for a long time either. I switched to Bipap two years ago, and I saved the leak rate info that one of the members posted years back for the different masks. Anyhow for a auto bipap user my 90% IPAP is 13 and my EPAP is 8 what am I using for number the IPAP or EPAP numbers for leak rates?

Thank you so much anyone who knows this info?

Suzy

Hey, girl! It's about time you showed up here again. Good to see you.

First of all, your profile is showing a Bi-Pap Plus.....and not an Auto. So, if you have the Auto, you might want to edit your profile.

I would think using the leak rate for the IPAP (since it's higher) would be a good place to start. If the leak rate is higher than it should be for that specific pressure, then you'd know you have some issues. On the other hand, you're only inhaling for about half the time, so the exhale pressure leak rate should (obviously) be lower (and you'd be less likely to leak more at a lower pressure).

If you're using the Ultra Mirage FF in your profile, a leak rate of (about) 40 or less should be within the parameters for the IPAP pressure. I've discovered that different machines can have a tendency to report different leak rates......even at the same fixed pressures. In view of those experiences, I wouldn't consider an average leak rate of 45 or even 50 to be "excessive". It kind of depends on what you see in the "leak line" in the reports. If it's reasonably flat, then all's well. If it's very erratic and lots of significant or large leaks, then there may be problems to address.


Den

[Strapparatus]

Hi,
The leak rate target varies breath to breath. Because you are using a mask with vented holes, this mask will have an "intentional" leak rate that varies with pressure and flow rate.
Typically, with IPAP levels >15 cmH20 pressure an acceptable level would be less than * 25 lpm. Unfortunately, this is in respiratory terms, more art than science.
For example...a FFM manufactured by ResMed will have a different leak rate variance than one manufactured by Philips Respironics.
When IPAP and EPAP increase so does the leak rate. Leak rates are of two types: Intentional and unnintentional.
In the example comparing masks this is intentional leak rates. unintentional leak rates may be caused by other factors, anatomical - e.g. beard, facial hair,
nasogastric tubes, not seating the sealing portion of the mask to the surface of the face, or a loose port connection on the outside body of the mask. A recent
study showed the comparative effectiveness of various masks, intentional leak rates, and it was shown that all masks (vented) have higher leak rates with
higher pressures. Determining whether this is acceptable is probably more on the end-user's comfort and awareness that the leak rate is uncomfortable.


*The AARC (American Association of Respiratory Care) protocols stated 7 -25 lpm. In a clinical setting, the leak rates are often >25 up to 70 lpm with some patients
on FFM and high pressures. (Generally Unintentional Leak Rates, that you try to lessen as best you can).

[snoozie_suzy]

Thanks All!
Just goes to prove you can be a cpap user for years and STILL have questions about things that don't quite make sense and make you feel like a nubie all over again! In 2006 the first year using I was really good at looking at my data weekly and tweaking things. Especially since I didn't feel quite refreshed and struggled with having good AHI's but still feeling a bit fatigued and having sleep studies showing that my AHI was good but not getting good sleep stages and REM. But once having a sleep study using a bipap and finding I did very good on it and had better sleep stages, I stopped looking at my data. So it has been a good two to three years and I decided to pop out the ol' card and read it and lo and behold I was having mask leaks and not so good AHI scores, I lowered my EPAP from 8cm to 6cm and lowered the IPAP from 16 to 12 and things have been good ever since.

I am in healthcare and have patients all the time that I find out don't use cpap equipment and should and I always reccomend this board to them. It is a complete lifesaver! I NEVER would have stuck with things and gotten frustrated if it weren't for the great people on this board!

Thanks again,
Suzy