Chronic Respiratory Failure

Chronic respiratory failure is chronic impairment of gas exchange due to COPD, interstitial lung disease, neuromuscular disease (ALS/muscular dystrophy), chest-wall deformity, or obesity hypoventilation, presenting with chronic dyspnea, hypoxemia, and/or hypercapnia, with acute-on-chronic exacerbations. Treatment: long-term oxygen therapy for resting hypoxemia (PaO2 <=55 or SpO2 <=88%); NIV (BiPAP) for hypercapnic/neuromuscular/OHS; treat underlying (bronchodilators/steroids for COPD; airway clearance for neuromuscular); pulmonary rehab; vaccines; treat acute exacerbations; monitor polycythemia/cor pulmonale; nutrition.

Common Symptoms

Chronic dyspnea; morning headache/daytime somnolence (hypercapnia); edema (cor pulmonale); by COPD/neuromuscular/OHS

Causes and Pathogenesis

Chronic airway/parenchymal/neuromuscular/chest-wall disease causes chronic hypoxemia/hypercapnia.

Treatment

Long-term oxygen; NIV for hypercapnia/neuromuscular; treat cause; rehab; treat exacerbations

Preventive Measures

Smoking cessation; treat COPD/neuromuscular disease; vaccines; weight management.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Pulmonology/Neurology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.