Biot's respiration

Cheyne-Stokes respirations are not the same as Biot's respirations ("cluster breathing"), in which groups of breaths tend to be similar in size.

In common medical practice, Biot's respiration is often clinically equivalent to Cheyne-Stokes respiration, although the two definitions are separated in some academic settings.

Biot's respiration, sometimes also called ataxic respiration, is an abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by groups of quick, shallow inspirations followed by regular or irregular periods of apnea.

Biot's respiration is caused by damage to the medulla oblongata due to strokes or trauma or by pressure on the medulla due to uncal or tentorial herniation.

The term is sometimes used interchangeably with Biot's Respirations, but technically, Biot's respirations refers to groups of similar-sized breaths alternating with regular periods of apnea.

Hyperventilation can also occur as a consequence of various lung diseases, head injury, or stroke (central neurogenic hyperventilation, apneustic respirations, ataxic respiration, Cheyne-Stokes respiration or Biot's respiration) and various lifestyle causes.