{"id":985,"date":"2024-06-03T04:41:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-03T08:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aedcpr.com\/articles\/?p=985"},"modified":"2024-06-13T05:05:30","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T09:05:30","slug":"difference-between-deth-rattle-and-agonal-breathing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aedcpr.com\/articles\/difference-between-deth-rattle-and-agonal-breathing\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Difference Between Death Rattle and Agonal Breathing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When someone is in cardiac arrest, lack of oxygen can trigger an emergency response that causes someone to start gasping for air, known as agonal breathing. This is different than a \u201cdeath rattle\u201d, which is a gurgling noise people can make while they\u2019re dying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, agonal breathing can also indicate someone is dying. Here\u2019s how to understand the difference between agonal breathing vs. death rattle, and how CPR training can prepare you to save someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Agonal Breathing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Agonal breathing<\/a> is a medical term used to describe someone gasping for air. This is usually a sign that the heart isn\u2019t circulating enough or any oxygenated blood, or something is blocking air from getting into the lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Agonal Breathing Sound Like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Agonal breathing can sound like gasping, snorting, moaning, or labored breathing. Gasping for breath can last for a few breaths or hours depending on the cause. If someone is experiencing agonal breathing, they are still alive. However, if someone is experiencing agonal breathing, end of life may be imminent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does Agonal Breathing Last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the cause, agonal breathing can last<\/a> a few breaths, minutes, or hours. End of life agonal breathing may last a few minutes<\/a> if cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other emergency care is not administered. Brain cells can start dying just 5 minutes<\/a> after oxygen supply is cut off, which can lead to severe brain damage or death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Agonal Breathing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Agonal breathing is typically caused by cardiac arrest. During cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating and blood is no longer pumped to the brain and other vital organs. As a result, there is not enough oxygenated blood circulating through the body to support functions like breathing. Specifically, the brain stem attempts to get more oxygen into the body, triggering agonal breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other causes of agonal breathing<\/a> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n