High-Yield Critical Care: Respiratory Faiure - 2 (Hypercapnic Failure)

<p>Brief but high-yield question-based approach to differential diagnosis in hypercapnic failure. </p> <p>Analyzing the differentials and management options based on the formula of Alveolar Minute Ventilation: </p> <p>Alveolar Minute Ventilation = Respiratory Rate x (Tidal Volume - Dead Space Volume) </p> <p>VA = RR x (Vt-Vd)</p> <p>DDxing of hypercapnia includes low RR (e.g. opiate use), Low Vt (e.g restrictive lung disease) or high Vd (COPD). </p> <p><br></p>