Common complications of respiratory failure include, pulmonary emboli, barotrauma, fibrosis and pneumonia. If left untreated patients with respiratory failure may progress to develop sepsis and multiple organ failure which increases mortality. The mortality rate of respiratory failure is approximately 29%-42%.

• If left untreated, patients with respiratory failure may progress to develop sepsis and multiple organ failure which increases mortality.^[1]
• The symptoms of respiratory failure have a higher incidence and are more severe in patients ≥ 65 years of age.^[2]

• Pulmonary complications of respiratory failure include:^[3]
  • Pulmonary emboli
  • Barotrauma
  • Fibrosis
  • Pneumonia

• Extra-pulmonary complications of respiratory failure include:^[3]
  • Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
  • Renal failure
  • Infection
  • Thrombocytopenia

• The resolution of pulmonary edema and inflammation are important for determining the recovery from lung injury.^[4]
• Long term prognosis of patients with respiratory failure depends on the severity of underlying disease.
• Recovery of pulmonary function is variable and determined by the severity of the acute episode.
• Acute respiratory failure has a poor prognosis when there is an underlying hematologic malignancy.
• The mortality rate of respiratory failure is approximately 29%-42%.^[5]