Ataxic respiration is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by complete irregularity of breathing, with irregular pauses and increasing periods of

apnea Apnea, BrE: apnoea, is the temporal cessation of breathing. During apnea, there is no movement of the muscles of inhalation, and the volume of the lungs initially remains unchanged. Depending on how blocked the airways are ( patency), there ...

. As the breathing pattern deteriorates, it merges with

agonal respiration Agonal respiration, gasping respiration or agonal breathing is a distinct abnormal pattern of breathing and brainstem reflex characterized by gasping, labored breathing, accompanied by strange vocalizations and myoclonus. Possible causes include ...

Cause

It is caused by damage to the

medulla oblongata The medulla oblongata or simply medulla is a long stem-like structure which makes up the lower part of the brainstem. It is anterior and partially inferior to the cerebellum. It is a cone-shaped neuronal mass responsible for autonomic (involun ...

due to strokes or trauma. It generally indicates a poor prognosis, and usually progresses to complete

. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with Biot's respiration.

Treatment

It is believed that intensive care technology may be masking the presence of Biot’s Respirations. This could be related to the fact that treatment for Biot’s Respirations typically results with intubation immediately upon diagnosis, with

mechanical ventilation Mechanical ventilation, assisted ventilation or intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV), is the medical term for using a machine called a ventilator to fully or partially provide artificial ventilation. Mechanical ventilation helps move air ...

to regulate patients’ breathing.

References

External links

About brain injury and functions
{{Respiratory system symptoms and signs Breathing abnormalities