Definition of Terms: lpm and Minute Volume

In laymen's terms what do these two terms mean and where are they found?

Starlette

LPM = Liters Per Minute/This is often utilized to determine how fast something is flowing. ie. a liquid or gas.

Minute Volume = The total volume delivered in a minute.

Not sure what you mean by WHERE are they found.......

Do you get that information from SH or the booklet that came with your mask?

Well i'm a Respiratory Therapist so I initially was exposed to those back in school in 1990.

However I now know what you are referring to, here are a couple links where you can find more about those two definitions on the web:

http://www.answers.com/topic/flow-measurement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_minute_volume


What are your specific reasons for looking these up? Are you trying to calculate something out or figure something out on your mask or machine?

akcpapguy

Thank you for responding. I'll review your posts tomorrow morning. I've got to show production for my day before Hubbs comes home.
Then we're watching the pre-season game tonight.

Starlette

Starlette wrote:akcpapguy

Thank you for responding. I'll review your posts tomorrow morning. I've got to show production for my day before Hubbs comes home.
Then we're watching the pre-season game tonight.

Starlette

I'm a Bears fan, so we'll probably be cross-cheering. (Though it's just preseason)

You betcha
In fact, even as I type I've got my jersy on and sweatpants *make that a double * *chuckles*
Wish us luck!

Starlette

Starlette wrote:You betcha
In fact, even as I type I've got my jersy on and sweatpants *make that a double * *chuckles*
Wish us luck!

Starlette

I'm very curious to see what the Broncos will look like with Manning. I'm a John Fox fan - think he's an excellent coach.

Let's hope there's no injuries!

Yes, above all else that comes first!

lpm or L/min is a measure of volume and may refer to leaks, total airflow through the hose, or minute volume.

Minute Volume or Minute Ventilation refers to how much of the air goes into and out of your lungs in a minute. i.e. how much air you actually breathed.

Understood Archangle. Thank you.

Why I’m asking is because it’s part of the cpap language and I want to understand this part of our therapy. I understand the definitions when read separately/stand alone. I just don’t understand when its communicated within the realm of xpap.

An example from Todzo’s post:

Todzo (08/02/2012)
APAP always has apneas. I like straight CPAP. I use the data to help me make lifestyle changes to keep the AHI under 2 on the one end and the Minute volume (weight 200#) average under 6 lpm with the 95% under 8 lpm. If my lifestyle changes have resulted in a change, such as weight loss or if I move to a differant altitude (both of which happened in the last few months) I then consider changing pressure as I recently have. I tried auto-PAP for a night and did not like the results. Apparently my body is not in sync with their algorithm.

I think it is better to let the machine be if you can and see what other things you can change (less stress ...) to help keep the AHI and minute volumes down.

That's been confusing for me too, thanks for asking that Starlette and thanks for the explanation Arch. Do you have any guidelines for what's within a normal range? And what about Tidal Volume? Any importance attached to that one? I keep thinking volume and pressure are the same thing but I guess they're not. As for Cpap vs Apap,I know it takes more than one night to establish a trend. Our data changes night to night even with the same settings.

Dori,

That was going to be Part II of my question, I was waiting for Part I to be explained first. *chuckles*

Starlette

Ok, I understand your quest for keeping your AHI low and your desire to understand the terminology associated with your treatment. However i am slightly confused about trying to keep you minute volume low......do you have COPD and are a CO2 retainer?

I'm sorry akcpapguy, my apologies. I think there is a slight misunderstanding. This sentence,

"I think it is better to let the machine be if you can and see what other things you can change (less stress ...) to help keep the AHI and minute volumes down."

is part of the quote from Todzo's post.

Starlette