Skip to main content
danger

This article is automatically translated and has not yet been reviewed by an expert!

Respiratory Failure

Overview​

  • Definition: Respiratory Failure (RF) is defined as a severe impairment of pulmonary ventilation or alveolar gas exchange leading to hypoxemia and/or hypercapnia, causing physiological and metabolic disturbances.
  • Criteria: PaO2 < 60 mmHg, and/or PaCO2 > 50 mmHg.

Causes​

  • Ventilation impairment.
    • Typically results in Type II respiratory failure (hypoxemia with hypercapnia).
  • Gas exchange impairment.
  • Transport impairment.
  • Hypoxic environment.