Should Be Started in an Unresponsive Patient with Agonal Breathing?

If someone is exhibiting symptoms of agonal breathing, resuscitation efforts should begin immediately and 911 should be called. “In cases where the patient is not breathing or has agonal respirations but still has a pulse, he or she is considered to be in respiratory arrest rather than cardiac arrest.

Should you start CPR with agonal breathing?

People often mistake agonal breathing as a sign that the person is breathing okay and doesn't need CPR. This is especially bad. The person has a good chance of surviving if CPR is started while they have agonal breathing. Start hands-only CPR if you believe someone is having a cardiac arrest.

What is agonal breathing in an unresponsive patient?

Agonal breathing, or agonal respiration, is the medical term for the gasping that people do when they're struggling to breathe because of cardiac arrest or another serious medical emergency.