What is the term for prolonged gasping inhalation followed by ineffective exhalation?

The term for prolonged gasping inhalation followed by ineffective exhalation is apneustic respiration. This type of breathing pattern is characterized by a long pause at full inspiration, which is then followed by a short or ineffective expiratory effort. Apneustic respiration indicates a disruption in the normal respiratory rhythm, often associated with damage to specific areas of the brain, particularly the pons, which regulates automatic breathing patterns.

Kussmaul respiration involves deep, labored breathing typically seen in metabolic acidosis, while Biot respiration consists of irregular breaths with varying depths and periods of apnea, often seen in conditions affecting the brain. Atonal gasps, on the other hand, refer to primitive gasping movements that may occur in the late stages of severe neurologic damage or expiration. Each of these patterns presents unique characteristics that differentiate them from apneustic respiration.