Apneustic respirations

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Synonyms and keywords: Apneusis

Apneustic respiration is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by deep, gasping inspiration with a pause at full inspiration followed by a brief, insufficient release.

It is caused by damage to the pons or upper medulla caused by strokes or trauma. Specifically, concurrent removal of input from the vagus nerve and the pneumotaxic center causes this pattern of breathing. It is an ominous sign, with a generally poor prognosis.

It can also be temporarily caused by some drugs, such as ketamine.

• Accompanying signs and symptoms may include decerebrate or decorticate posturing
• Coma or profound stupor

• Fixed, dilated pupils
• Absent corneal reflex
• Absent doll’s eye sign
• Negative oculocephalic reflex

• Obliteration of the gag reflex
• Quadriparesis;

• Apneustic center

• About brain injury and functions
• http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/55/3/851.pdf
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