KEY NOTES

Signs of respiratory failure:

• Cyanosis.
• Tachypnoea.
• Dyspnoea.
• Orthopnoea.
• Tachycardia.
• Weak pulse.
• Assuming sitting position with abducted elbows.
• Collapse.
• Unconsciousness.

Possible causes of respiratory failure:

• Trauma (ruptured diaphragm, pneumothorax, haemeothorax).
• Airway obstruction (pulmonary oedema, laryngeal paralysis).
• Pulmonary embolism.
• Neoplasia (with metastases to the lungs).
• Anaesthetic overdose.
• Pneumonia.
• Hydrothorax (pleural effusion).
• Paralysis of the respiratory muscles (tetanus).
• Poisoning.
• Gastric torsion (due to pressure on the diaphragm or circulatory compromise).
• Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS)