ABSTRACT
In this review, ventilatory failure is defined as any condition in which the volume of gas entering and leaving the lungs (minute volume, VE) is insufficient to satisfy the metabolic demands of the organism. Although lung function is frequently impaired in patients with ventilatory failure, this definition emphasizes the role of the ventilatory pump in the maintenance of pulmonary gas exchange. Because VE is an important determinant of the arterial C02 tension (Pa~), hypercarbia is always present in patients with ventilatory failure. In contrast to patients with so-called chronic or compensated respiratory acidosis, however, patients with ventilatory failure are unable to reach an equilibrium state between metabolic C02 production and C02 elimination by the lungs.
