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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Rowat
Anne M
AM
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, Napier University, Canaan Lane Campus, Edinburgh EH9 2TB, Scotland, UK. a.rowat@napier.ac.uk
Wardlaw
Joanna M
JM
Dennis
Martin S
MS
D000208:Acute Disease; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed