Cheyne-Stokes respiration

n.

An abnormal pattern of breathing characterized by a gradual increase in depth and sometimes in rate to a maximum depth, followed by a decrease resulting in apnea, usually seen in comatose individuals having diseased nervous centers of respiration.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.