Season 7 | Episode 1
DR. ROBERT THOMAS, DR. TAVI IOACHIMESCU, & DR. IMRAN IFTIKHAR | GUESTS
In this episode, host Dr. Seema Khosla examines a crucial clinical question: how reliable is the residual AHI measured by PAP devices? Experts Dr. Robert Thomas, Dr. Tavi Ioachimescu, and Dr. Imran Iftikhar analyze the accuracy of PAP downloads, brand differences in measurement, and implications for patient care. Through meta-analysis findings and clinical research, they explore stable versus unstable breathing patterns and how this data influences treatment decisions.
The discussion covers device-specific algorithms, historical development of AHI measurement, and the role of patient monitoring software like OSCAR and SleepHQ. Learn about therapeutic approaches for unstable breathing, including medication options and practical management strategies for complex sleep apnea cases.
Dr. Tavi Ioachimescu, architect of the VA system’s largest Sleep Medicine Center, brings over 17 years of clinical expertise and advanced statistical knowledge to the analysis of sleep medicine data, including groundbreaking research on PAP download metrics and residual AHI.
Dr. Robert Thomas is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and serves in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. As a pioneer in the field, he founded the ACGME-accredited sleep medicine training program and the Beth Israel-Needham sleep center. His expertise focuses on sleep apnea endotypes, brain health in sleep disorders, and complex circadian rhythm disorders.
Dr. Imran Iftikhar is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Emory University and practices sleep medicine at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He completed his sleep medicine training at Ohio State University, where he also served on the faculty. He joined Emory University in 2016, bringing his expertise in sleep disorders to both academic medicine and veteran care.
