AHI
Medical abbreviation · Respiratory
| Stands for | Apnea-hypopnea index |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
AHI stands for Apnea-hypopnea index, a respiratory abbreviation.
Average number of apneas (breathing pauses) and hypopneas (shallow breathing with oxygen drop or arousal) per hour of sleep, the main measure of sleep apnea severity. Values of 5 to 14 are mild, 15 to 29 moderate and 30 or more severe in adults.
Example: Diagnostic PSG: AHI 27 with supine predominance; moderate OSA.
Usage notes
Scoring rules matter: the American Academy of Sleep Medicine accepts hypopneas with a 3 percent oxygen drop or an arousal, while Medicare has historically required a 4 percent drop, so the same study can yield different AHIs. In children an AHI above 1 is abnormal. Home tests report a similar index per hour of recording time, which underestimates severity.
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- ATS – American Thoracic Society
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.