Respiratory failure

<p>Respiratory failure results from inadequate <a href="/facts/Gas_exchange/3vUewPNH">gas exchange</a> by the <a href="/facts/Respiratory_system/IG8v5JEr">respiratory system</a>, meaning that the arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, or both cannot be kept at normal levels. A drop in the oxygen carried in the blood is known as <a href="/facts/Hypoxemia/n1cqE0JW">hypoxemia</a>; a rise in arterial <a href="/facts/Carbon_dioxide/xGzpppEp">carbon dioxide</a> levels is called <a href="/facts/Hypercapnia/wBArR1mW">hypercapnia</a>. Respiratory failure is classified as either Type 1 or Type 2, based on whether there is a high carbon dioxide level, and can be acute or chronic. In clinical trials, the definition of respiratory failure usually includes <a href="/facts/Tachypnea/G220HYhe">increased respiratory rate</a>, abnormal blood gases (hypoxemia, hypercapnia, or both), and evidence of increased work of breathing. Respiratory failure causes an <a href="/facts/Altered_state_of_consciousness/97vjsHXF">altered state of consciousness</a> due to <a href="/facts/Brain_ischemia/QDYdeAxk">ischemia in the brain</a>.
</p><p>The typical <a href="/facts/Partial_pressure/sRw2hj4G">partial pressure</a> reference values are oxygen <a href="/facts/Blood_gas_tension/8SIHAoI6">Pa</a> <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">O2</a> more than 80 mmHg (11 kPa) and carbon dioxide <a href="/facts/Blood_gas_tension/8SIHAoI6">Pa</a> <a href="/facts/Carbon_dioxide/xGzpppEp">CO2</a> less than 45 mmHg (6.0 kPa).
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Respiratory failure