Agonal respiration,
gasping respiration or
agonal breathing is an abnormal pattern of
breathing and
brainstem reflex characterized by gasping, labored breathing, accompanied by strange vocalizations and
myoclonus. Possible causes include
cerebral ischemia, extreme
hypoxia or even anoxia. Agonal breathing is an extremely serious medical sign requiring immediate medical attention, as the condition generally progresses to complete
apnea and heralds
death. The duration of agonal respiration can be as brief as two breaths or last up to several hours. The term is sometimes (inaccurately) used to refer to labored, gasping breathing patterns accompanying organ failure (e.g.
liver failure and
renal failure),
SIRS,
septic shock, and
metabolic acidosis (see
Kussmaul breathing, or in general any labored breathing, including
Biot's respirations and
ataxic respirations). Correct usage would restrict the term to the last breaths before death.