Cheyne-Stokes (CS) respirations, also known as "periodic breathing," results from the inability of the respiratory center of the brain, the brain stem (i.e. pons and medulla oblongata), to rapidly compensate for changing serum partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide. CS is characterized by respirations of gradually increasing and decreasing tidal volumes, with interspersed periods of apnea. Conditions associated with CS: - Increased ICP (i.e. space occupying brain lesions such as hemorrhage and tumors) - Congestive heart failure - Altitude sickness - Toxic-metabolic encephalopathy - Carbon monoxide poisoning - High-dose morphine administration CS was first described by physicians John Cheyne and William Stokes. Wikipedia Encyclopedia. The Diagnosis of Stupor and Coma by Plum and Posner.
