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Respiratory failure: Difference between revisions

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Respiration is sufficient when it is able to provide enough oxygen to and remove enough carbon dioxide from the tissues. If this is not the case, there is '''respiratory failure'''. There are two types of respiratory failure, partial and global.
Respiration is sufficient when it is able to provide enough oxygen to and remove enough carbon dioxide from the tissues. If this is not the case, there is '''respiratory failure'''. There are two types of respiratory failure, partial and global.


Partial respiratory failure, also called hypoxaemic respiratory failure or type I respiratory failure, is characterised by [[hypoxaemia]] (decreased pO2) but no [[hypercapnia]] (elevated pCO2).
Partial respiratory failure, also called '''hypoxaemic respiratory failure''' or type I respiratory failure, is characterised by [[hypoxaemia]] (decreased pO2) but no [[hypercapnia]] (elevated pCO2).


Complete respiratory failure, also called hypercapnic respiratory failure or type II respiratory failure, is characterised by both hypoxaemia and hypercapnia. This is more severe and also causes [[respiratory acidosis]].
Complete respiratory failure, also called '''hypercapnic respiratory failure''' or type II respiratory failure, is characterised by both hypoxaemia and hypercapnia. This is more severe and also causes [[respiratory acidosis]].


== Etiology ==
== Etiology ==
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==== Hypoventilation ====
==== Hypoventilation ====
{{#lst:Hypoventilation|etiology}}
{{#lst:Hypoventilation|etiology}}
==== Increased dead space (V/Q mismatch) ====
Increased dead spacing occurs when there is a ventilation/perfusion mismatch (V/Q mismatch). When a part of the lung receives no perfusion, the alveoli in the area effectively become dead space (due to not having blood to exchange gas to). This can occur in case of:
* Pulmonary embolism (severe)
* Interstitial lung disease (severe)


==== Severe lung disease ====
==== Severe lung disease ====
CO2 diffuses easily across the respiratory membrane. Even so, severe lung disease can impair the respiratory membrane such that even CO2 diffusion is impaired.