This improves blood flow to the heart. muscle and relieves symptoms (usually chest pain). Stents are used depending on certain features of the. artery blockage. Factors that affect whether a stent can. be used include the size of the artery and where the. blockage is.
Usually, this gasping or agonal breathing stops within about four minutes, which is why many experts have not recognized this phenomenon so far! Gasping is a survival reflex triggered by the brain and can increase the chances of survival for someone in cardiac arrest.
Not to be confused with Agonal heart rhythm. 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.