Scottish Intensive Care Society

ICM Induction programme ©

 

Respiratory failure

Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure is, by definition, a failure of gas exchange. There are two types

Type 1: hypoxaemia with a normal or low CO2
Type 2: hypoxaemia with a high CO2

The main symptom is shortness of breath. Signs of repiratory failure are listed in this table.

There are several pathophysiological mechanisms underlying respiratory failure; they are:

  • Alveolar hypoventilation
    Diffusion deficit
  • Shunt
    Ventilation – perfusion mismatch

We will now discuss all these in order.

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