Basic Oscillating Mechanism of Cheyne-Stokes Breathing

Abstract

Cheyne-Stokes breathing has been induced in 30 dogs by inserting a circulatory delay system between the heart and the brain to prolong the transit time of blood from the lungs to the brain. The duration of each cycle of Cheyne-Stokes breathing increased proportionately with the volume of the delay system and decreased as the perfusion pressure to the brain was increased. Periodic variations in oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the blood were found to be in appropriate phase to stimulate the respiratory centers at the time of maximal ventilation. This supports the theory that Cheyne-Stokes breathing is due to oscillation of the respiratory control system.