Rev Up Your Heart Skills: 2026 NREMT Cardiology & Resuscitation Challenge!

Agonal gasping is characterized as an irregular and often ineffective breathing pattern that occurs in individuals who are typically in a state of cardiac arrest. This type of gasping is not a true form of breathing but rather a reflexive action that can occur as a last attempt by the body to maintain oxygen flow when the heart has stopped pumping blood effectively.

During a cardiac arrest, the brain may still send signals to the respiratory muscles, resulting in these gasps. However, they indicate severe brain hypoxia and are not adequate for oxygenation, which is why prompt recognition and intervention, such as starting CPR and calling for emergency medical help, are critical.

This understanding emphasizes the significance of identifying agonal gasping in emergency situations; it may be mistaken for effective breathing, potentially delaying lifesaving measures. Therefore, recognizing it for what it is—an abnormal, ineffective respiratory effort in a critical situation—enables responders to act swiftly and appropriately.