Influence of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation on Breathing Pattern Disorders in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Cheyne-Stokes respiration is well-known in patients with congestive heart failure. One of the causes might be a prolonged circulation time or diminished pulmonary gas stores. Improvement of cardiac function by heart transplantation might abolish Cheyne-Stokes respiration.

Influence of Low-Flow Oxygen Supply on Sleep Architecture in Patients with Severe Heart Failure (NYHA III-IV) and Cheyne-Stokes Respiration.

Patients suffering from severe heart failure may develop breathing pattern disorders during sleep, especially in the form of Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Results may be severe disturbances in sleep architecture and worsening of hemodynamics and of prognosis of these patients. Causes of the periodic breathing disorders are probably hypocapnia, hypersensitivity of respiratory control centers, hypoxemia, and prolonged blood circulation time.