What breathing pattern is described as recurrent central apneas alternating with a crescendo-decrescendo of tidal volume?

The breathing pattern characterized by recurrent central apneas alternating with a crescendo-decrescendo pattern of tidal volume is known as Cheyne-Stokes breathing. This pattern typically involves a gradual increase in tidal volume followed by a decrease, ultimately leading to a central apnea. This cyclical pattern can be observed in conditions such as heart failure or cerebral disorders and is indicative of brain-stem dysfunction or varied chemoreceptor sensitivity.

The distinct nature of this pattern, where normal breathing gradually transitions to apneas and then back to normal or increased respiratory effort, sets it apart from other types of breathing abnormalities. Obstructive apnea involves respiratory effort with cessation of airflow due to airway obstruction, while central apneas are characterized by a complete absence of both airflow and respiratory effort. Complex apnea combines elements of both obstructive and central apneas but does not specifically describe the crescendo-decrescendo pattern evident in Cheyne-Stokes breathing.