Acute respiratory failure is a life-threatening impairment of oxygenation, carbon dioxide elimination, or both.
The respiratory system oxygenates and eliminates carbon dioxide from venous blood. Thus, a useful classification of respiratory failure is whether the principal abnormality is
Inadequate carbon dioxide elimination (which means inadequate ventilation)
Many disorders affect both.
Common manifestations include dyspnea, use of accessory muscles of respiration, tachypnea, tachycardia, diaphoresis, cyanosis, altered consciousness, and, without treatment, eventually obtundation, respiratory arrest, and death.
Diagnosis is clinical, supplemented by measurements of arterial or venous blood gases (ABGs or VBGs) and/or capillary oxygen saturation and chest x-ray.
Although temporizing measures exist, respiratory failure frequently necessitates an intensive care unit and involves correction of the underlying disorder, supplemental oxygen, and ventilatory assistance if needed, possibly with invasive mechanical ventilation, noninvasive mechanical ventilation, or high-flow oxygen.
