[Pathophysiological classification of external respiratory failure].

On the basis of literature analysis and clinical experience, a classification of external respiratory failure (ERF) is suggested. The types of ERF can be as follows: 1) pulmonary ventilation failure; 2) gas diffusion failure; 3) pulmonary blood flow failure; 4) respiration control failure; and 5) ambient air gas composition change. The forms of ERI can be classified as acute, subacute and chronic. The stages of ERF include the following: I (compensatory) with pulmonary ventilation function drop of degree I-III (of an obstructive, restrictive and mixed type) and without hypoxemia, normo- or hypocapnia; II (subcompensatory) with the same pulmonary ventilation failures, moderate or serious hypoxemia, normo- or hypocapnia; III (decompensatory) with hypoxemia and hypercapnia or extremely severe hypoxemia in combination with normo- or hypocapnia.