Unrestful sleep, loud snoring and breathing interruptions: sleep apnea occurs frequently and often remains undetected. Until now, a comprehensive diagnosis was usually only possible in sleep clinics or with a pulmonologist - with corresponding waiting times. With RespiFlex, evismo offers a convenient solution for sleep apnea screening and diagnostics directly in the general practitioner's office. The data is analyzed and diagnosed remotely by a sleep specialist.
With RespiFlex Screening and RespiFlex Diagnostics, evismo brings the sleep specialist directly into the practice. If sleep apnea is suspected, the screening conducted and billed by you provides initial indications. Based on the same data, a complete diagnosis, including therapy recommendations - prepared by an external sleep physician - can be ordered. This virtually eliminates the need for multiple measurements and long waiting times in sleep clinics or with a pulmonologist.
One-Click Comprehensive Diagnostics
he patient wears the RespiFlex kit during the night. The recording corresponds to a respiratory polygraphy. You make the recorded data available online. A screening report is available the next day, similar to Apnea-Link. A new feature with RespiFlex is that, in the case of suspected sleep apnea, a comprehensive diagnosis from an external sleep specialist can be initiated with one click based on the same data.
How it works
RespiFlex records the following vital parameteres:
- respiratory flow
- oxygen saturation
- pulse rate
- breathing pauses (apneas)
- thoracic respiratory effort
- sleep position
- abdominal breathing effort*
- snoring noises*
All vital parameters, including those marked with an asterisk, are analyzed for sleep apnea diagnostics. An external sleep specialist prepares a detailed report based on this data. Among other things, the following sleep breathing disorders can be identified:
- obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- central sleep apnea
- mixed sleep apnea
- hypopnea
- Cheyne-Stroke respiration
The same report contains suitable therapy recommendations such as behavioral changes (e.g. weight reduction, sleep hygiene), sleep splints, CPAP therapy or other measures.
Diagnosis in just one week
evismo RespiFlex: From screening to diagnosis in 7 days - with just one measurement
Within just seven days, a complete process can be completed, from the initial consultation to a comprehensive sleep apnea diagnosis, including treatment options – with just a single measurement in one night.
First general practices have started
evismo's RespiFlex enables quick, convenient, and comprehensive sleep apnea screening directly in the general practitioner's office. The first Argomed practices are already successfully using RespiFlex for screening and diagnosing of sleep apnea. Start now!
What does the specialist say?
Dr. González, what is the advantage of RespiFlex compared to other diagnostic services?
RespiFlex combines advanced pulse oximetry (RespiFlex Screening) with comprehensive respiratory polygraphy (RespiFlex Diagnostics), providing much more accurate sleep apnea findings. The simple pulse oximetry method is often too imprecise. It detects breathing interruptions but has limited ability to differentiate between central and obstructive events. In contrast, RespiFlex records numerous cardio-respiratory parameters, such as airflow, movements of the abdomen and chest, body position, and snoring sounds – allowing for a clear distinction between Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea. Furthermore, patients can conduct the recording conveniently at home without having to wait for an appointment with a pulmonologist or sleep specialist.
What are the limitations of RespiFlex? Which patients still need to go to a sleep laboratory?
Mild to moderate breathing disturbances without pronounced oxygen desaturation (decline in oxygen saturation) but with frequent arousals (unconscious awakening reactions) cannot be definitively excluded through RespiFlex Screening or Diagnostics. In cases of strong clinical suspicion of a sleep-related breathing disorder, supervised polysomnography in a sleep laboratory remains necessary, even if pulse oximetric or polygraphic results are unremarkable.
Which general practices would you recommend RespiFlex for?
For all practices. RespiFlex also offers clear value in cardiology practices, as cardiovascular diseases are often associated with sleep-related breathing disorders.
Thea article also appeared in the Argomed magazine deFACTO 01/25 on page 28/29 (German).