title: Pathophysiology and Classification of Respiratory Failure.
abstract: Respiratory failure is a condition in which the respiratory system fails in one or both of its gas exchange functions. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to intensive care units. It is a result of either lung failure, resulting in hypoxemia, or pump failure, resulting in alveolar hypoventilation and hypercapnia. This article covers the basic lung anatomy, pathophysiology, and classification of respiratory failure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Allegheny Health Network/Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Tejpreet Singh
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Lamba
authors.forename: Rihab Saeed
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Sharara
authors.forename: Anil C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Marvin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balaan
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000150:complications; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena