Respiratory Failure Flashcards
What is meant by the term respiratory failure?
When there is inadequate gas exchange, defined by an oxygen of <8kPa
What is the general presentation of respiratory failure?
Hypoxia and Hypercapnia
What are the signs and symptoms of acute hypoxia?
SOB, restlessness, agitation, confusion and central cyanosis
What are the signs and symptoms of chronic hypoxia?
Pulmonary hypertension, polycythemia and cor pulmonalae
What are the signs and symptoms of hypercapnia?
Morning headache, peripheral vasodilation, tachycardia, bounding pulse, C02 flap, confusion, drowsiness and coma
What investigations would be for respiratory failure?
Bloods (FBC, U&E, CRP, ABG, cultures), CXR and Spirometry
What is meant by the term type 1 respiratory failure?
Low oxygen with normal or low carbon dioxide
What is meant by the term type 2 respiratory failure?
Low oxygen with high carbon dioxide (PaCo2 >6)
What is the cause of type 1 respiratory failure?
Ventilation perfusion mismatches
What is the cause of type 2 respiratory failure?
Alveolar hypo perfusion, with or without ventilation perfusion mismatches
What diseases are associated with type 1 respiratory failure?
- PE
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary oedema
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
What diseases are associated with type 2 respiratory failure?
- Respiratory disease (e.g. asthma, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, obstructive sleep apnoea)
- Reduced respiratory drive (e.g. head injury, opiate overdose)
- Neuromuscular disease (e.g. GBS, myasthenia, cord lesions)
- Thoracic wall disease (e.g. kyphoscoliosis)
- Obesity.
What is the general management of type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure?
To treat the underlying cause
What is the target oxygen levels for a patient with type 1 respiratory failure?
94-98%
What is the target oxygen levels for a patient with type 2 respiratory failure?
88-92%
