Cheyne-Stokes respiration

What Is Cheyne-Stokes Respiration?

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is a distinctive breathing pattern characterised by cyclical variation in the amplitude of breathing cycles, sometimes interspersed with periods of apnea. The pattern typically shows a gradual increase in breathing depth and rate, followed by a gradual decrease, followed by a pause — then the cycle repeats.

Medical Significance

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is usually associated with serious medical conditions including brain damage, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or drug abuse. It reflects impaired central nervous system regulation of breathing.

Polygraph Considerations

If Cheyne-Stokes respiration is observed in the respiratory tracings during a polygraph examination, it indicates a medical condition rather than a deception-related response. The examiner should assess whether the examinee is medically suitable for testing and document the finding. The cyclical nature of the pattern — with its regular waxing and waning of breathing amplitude — distinguishes it from the suppression or apnea patterns associated with responses to test questions.