Respiratory failure

This is a state of insufficient gas exchange between the body and the external atmosphere.
There is oxygen supply to the tissues of the body. 

 

Causes

• Conditions which reduce the flow rate of air into and out of the lungs (ventilation)
• Airway obstruction
• Reduced breathing ability
• Conditions which impair the lungs' blood supply (perfusion)
• Thromboembolic conditions 
• Conditions which reduce the output of the right heart
• Conditions which limit the ability of the lung tissue to exchange gases between the blood and the alveolar air (diffusion defect) 
• Lung tissue inflammation or damage. 
• Physical barrier due to fluid, infectious infiltrate. 

 

Type 1 respiratory failure

• A low level of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia), without an increased CO2 level (normocapnia).

Type 2 respiratory failure

• A low level of oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia), with an increased CO2 level (hypercapnia).