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Updated: May 7, 2026
09:13
Method to Obtain Pattern of Breathing in Senescent Mice through Unrestrained Barometric Plethysmography
Published on: April 28, 2020
Periodic breathing with no heart beat.
Stephen Bartsch1, Philippe Haouzi1
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Penn State University College of Medicine, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA.
Chest
|October 2, 2013
Summary
Periodic breathing in heart failure patients may originate from the central pattern generator. Cardiac arrest simulation did not alter breathing patterns, suggesting central control independent of peripheral factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Respiratory Physiology
- Neurology
Background:
- A protocol to study breathing control during cardiac arrest was adapted.
- Periodic breathing (PB) in a heart failure (HF) patient complicated the study.
- The patient had severe HF (NYHA class III, LVEF 25%).
Observation:
- Pulseless ventricular fibrillation (PVF) was incidentally induced during a PB cycle.
- The PVF lasted 8-9 seconds, followed by a 12-second recovery.
- No changes in PB period or amplitude were observed during or after PVF.
Findings:
- Periodic breathing characteristics remained stable despite PVF.
- Profound changes in Paco2, cerebral blood flow, and carotid body perfusion occurred.
- The central pattern generator is implicated as the source of PB in HF.
Implications:
- PB in HF patients may stem from central respiratory control oscillations.
- Peripheral chemoreceptor sensitivity might not be the primary driver of PB in this context.
- Further research into central mechanisms of respiratory control in HF is warranted.
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