Boosting Oxygenation During Acute Respiratory Failure

摘要

Acute respiratory failure can decrease the arterial partial pressure of oxygen gas (PO_2) and hemoglobin saturation to critically low levels, so that metabolic function of vital organs is affected. In severe cases, cardiac function can become impaired and lead to reduced arterial blood pressure and reduced brain perfusion, which, together with hemoglobin desaturation, can disturb mental status. Immediate pulmonary resuscitation is not always possible. An article in this issue of Science Translational Medicine by Kheir et al. describes an innovative technology that quickly boosts oxygen levels for short periods of time until pulmonary function can be stabilized (i).