What is Cheyne-Stokes respiration?

Cheyne-Stokes respirtion is a cyclical pattern of breathing that has increases in rapid respiration followed by gradual decrease and then apnea from 5 to 50 seconds. It is also known as agonal respirations.

There are three phases, phase 1 is the cresendo phase. This is where tidal volume increases gradually with each breath from hypopnea to hyperpnea. Phase 2 is a decresendo phase from hyperpnea to hyponea. Phase 3 is a central apnea phase.