Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a pattern of recurrent central apneas alternating with a crescendo-decrescendo of tidal volume. Which option completes this statement?

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a pattern of recurrent central apneas alternating with a crescendo-decrescendo of tidal volume. Which option completes this statement?

• A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• B. Hypoventilation
• C. Pickwickian syndrome
• D. Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Answer: (D)

Periodic central-type breathing with a waxing and waning pattern is the hallmark of Cheyne-Stokes respiration. It features cycles of central apnea followed by a crescendo of tidal volume that gradually decrescendos before another apnea occurs. This arises from instability in the brain's control of breathing, often amplified by delayed CO2 feedback, and it is classically seen in patients with advanced heart failure or certain CNS injuries. Because the statement describes this exact central-apnea with crescendo–decrescendo tidal volume pattern, the completion is Cheyne-Stokes respiration. The other options refer to conditions with different breathing patterns: obstructive or hypoventilatory profiles that don’t produce this cyclic central apnea with waxing and waning tidal volumes.

Periodic central-type breathing with a waxing and waning pattern is the hallmark of Cheyne-Stokes respiration. It features cycles of central apnea followed by a crescendo of tidal volume that gradually decrescendos before another apnea occurs. This arises from instability in the brain's control of breathing, often amplified by delayed CO2 feedback, and it is classically seen in patients with advanced heart failure or certain CNS injuries. Because the statement describes this exact central-apnea with crescendo–decrescendo tidal volume pattern, the completion is Cheyne-Stokes respiration. The other options refer to conditions with different breathing patterns: obstructive or hypoventilatory profiles that don’t produce this cyclic central apnea with waxing and waning tidal volumes.