Stroke Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Stroke, including details on treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, signs, symptoms.

Abnormal breathing patterns in stroke: relationship with location of acute stroke lesion and prior cerebrovascular disease.

Rowat AM, Wardlaw JM, Dennis MS

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, Napier University, Canaan Lane Campus, Edinburgh EH9 2TB, Scotland, UK. a.rowat@napier.ac.uk

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether central periodic breathing (CPB) is associated with acute involvement of any particular part of the brain, or the extent of total damage in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: CPB was identified using portable monitoring equipment in patients with stroke on admission. A neuroradiologist classified acute stroke lesions and prior cerebrovascular disease on brain images. RESULTS: Among 134 patients with acute stroke, those with CPB were more likely to have a large acute stroke lesion in a cerebral hemisphere (p = 0.01) and more mass effect (p = 0.03). There was no association between CPB and severe prior cerebrovascular disease on imaging (p = 0.76). CONCLUSION: CPB is related to the acute (not old) lesions, particularly large acute cerebral hemispheric lesions with mass effect. A relationship between lesions in any discrete brain location (unilateral or bilateral) and CPB could not be shown.

Published 19 February 2007 in J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 78(3): 277-9.
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