respiratory failure occurs when: pulmonary system is no longer able to meet the metabolic demands of the body hypoxaemic

ic respiratory failure: PaO2 50 mm Hg when breathing room air hypercapnic respiratory failure: PaCO2 50 mm Hg.

Fig. 68-2

CO2

O2

Fig. 68-1

Fig. 68-5

Fig. 68-4

75%

75% 100% 75%

87.5%

FIO2

Ventilation without perfusion (deadspace ventilation) Diffusion abnormality

Hypoventilation

Normal Perfusion without ventilation (shunting)

Brainstem Airway Spinal cord Nerve root

Lung

Nerve

Pleura

Chest wall

Neuromuscular junction Respiratory muscle

Sites at which disease may cause ventilatory disturbance