Respiratory failure

The inability of the respiratory system to maintain adequate gas exchange such that PaO2 and/or PaCO2 are incompatible with normal metabolic demands without ventilatory support. Type 1 hypoxemic failure is characterized by arterial hypoxemia (PaO₂ < 8.0 kPa), while type 2 hypercapnic failure is characterized by arterial hypercapnia (PaCO₂ > 6.0 kPa) and acidosis (pH < 7.35). Possible causes are COPD, asthma, pneumonia, sepsis, anaphylaxis, ARDS, lung trauma, burns, toxic inhalation (fumes, smoke, water aspiration/drowning), heart failure, myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, pancreatitis, and massive blood transfusions.