EM Vivas · Respiratory failure (type 1 and 2)
Respiratory failure — the type 1 versus the type 2
A data viva on the type 1/type 2 distinction and the A-a gradient.
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Study tools
Target exams
Interpretation
Reveal interpretationShowHide
The type 1 (the hypoxaemic) — confirm PaO2/PaCO2 cut-offs, mechanism split and cause list against local respiratory teaching; the held review covers acute-dyspnoea assessment with lung ultrasound plus echocardiography as the rapid first line.[1]
The type 2 (the hypercapnic) — confirm PaCO2 thresholds, hypoventilation mechanisms and cause list against local respiratory teaching; in COPD exacerbation, titrated oxygen reduced mortality versus high-flow oxygen (RR 0.42 overall, 0.22 in confirmed COPD).[2]
[2]The A-a gradient — confirm normal-versus-raised interpretation against local respiratory teaching.
The principles: type 1 oxygenation, type 2 ventilation, ABG plus gradient as tools — confirm specifics against local protocol.[1]
References2ShowHide
- [1]Santus P, Radovanovic D, Saad M, et al. Acute dyspnea in the emergency department: a clinical review. Internal and Emergency Medicine, 2023.PMID 37266791
- [2]Austin MA, Wills KE, Blizzard L, Walters EH, Wood-Baker R. Effect of high flow oxygen on mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in prehospital setting: randomised controlled trial BMJ, 2010.PMID 20959284