Respiratory failure and oxygen therapy

Abstract

Respiratory failure may be defined as the state due to disordered function of the lungs in which there is a substantial decrease of the partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood with or without a substantial increase of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide. The physiological basis and rationale of oxygen therapy in respiratory failure is explained. Furthermore, the importance of controlled oxygen administration in patients who have anoxia combined with hypercapnia has been emphasized and the dangers of uncontrolled oxygen therapy stressed. The different features and advantages of the various apparata suitable for oxygen administration are described. Essentially, the management of respiratory failure is highly dependable on physiological principles.