Respiratory failure

Respiratory failure occurs when the respiratory system cannot adequately oxygenate blood, remove carbon dioxide, or both. It can develop suddenly or persist over time.

Hypoxemic respiratory failure: Respiratory failure marked primarily by abnormally low oxygen levels in arterial blood. This form arises when oxygen transfer into blood is inadequate.
Arterial blood gas test: A blood test measuring arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, acidity, and related values. It helps identify oxygenation failure, carbon-dioxide retention, and acid-base disturbance.
Alveolus: A microscopic air sac in the lung where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange with blood. Gas exchange at alveoli is central to respiratory function.
Respiratory distress: Visible or reported difficulty breathing, which may occur with or without abnormal gas exchange. Distress describes breathing difficulty, not necessarily failure of gas exchange.
Hypercapnic respiratory failure: Respiratory failure marked by elevated carbon dioxide in arterial blood. This form arises when ventilation cannot remove enough carbon dioxide.
Pulse oximetry: A noninvasive method for estimating blood oxygen saturation using light transmission through tissue. It monitors oxygen saturation but does not measure carbon dioxide.
Pulmonary ventilation: The movement of air into and out of the lungs. Ventilation determines how much fresh gas reaches the alveoli.
Respiratory arrest: The cessation of effective breathing. Arrest is an immediate loss of breathing, unlike the broader failure state.
Ventilation-perfusion mismatch: A mismatch between airflow reaching lung regions and blood flowing through them. Uneven airflow and blood flow commonly impair oxygenation.
Supplemental oxygen: Oxygen supplied at a concentration above that of ambient air. It treats low blood oxygen when increasing inspired oxygen can correct it.

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