[Cheyne-Stokes respiration in chronic heart insufficiency]

1.26 of 340 patients with chronic heart failure (aortic-valve or mitral-valve disease, congestive cardiomyopathy) showed Cheyne-Stokes respiration in supine position. 2. The incidence of Cheyne-Stokes respiration in males is more than twice as high as in females with similar hemodynamic conditions. 3. Lung volumes and airway resistance did not appreciably deviate from the predicted values and are therefore of no etiologic significance. 4. Delay of the feedback between changes in the alveolar gas tensions and respiratory center caused by a prolonged circulation time (decreased cardiac index and increased central blood volume) is the predominant cause of Cheyne-Stokes breathing in patients with chronic heart failure. 5. Metabolic alkalosis (e.g. after diuretics) favors Cheyne-Stokes respiration in patients with congestive heart failure and low cardiac output, by lessening respiratory changes in pH of blood and cerebrospinal fluid.