Morbid obesity as a cause of respiratory failure

Jan Zieliński

Vol 80, No 6 (2012)

Review paper

Submitted: 2013-02-22

Published online: 2012-10-29

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Morbid obesity as a cause of respiratory failure

Jan Zieliński

Pneumonol Alergol Pol 2012;80(6):555-559.

Vol 80, No 6 (2012)

REVIEWS

Submitted: 2013-02-22

Published online: 2012-10-29

Abstract

World epidemic of obesity reached Poland. Obesity may result in hypercapnic respiratory failure. This complication may be expected in morbidly obese subjects, with BMI > 35. Diagnosis is confirmed by arterial blood gas analysis showing PaO₂ < 60 mm Hg and PaCO₂ > 45 mm Hg. The most frequent cause of respiratoty failure is severe form of obstructive sleep apnea. In approximately 10% of patients obesity hypoventilation syndrome is diagnosed. Diagnosis is established during polysomnographic examination. Patients are treated with nocturnal ventilatory suport CPAP or BiPAP. Causative treatment is based on weight reduction. Low — calorie diet is ineffective. Bariatric surgery available in Poland is effective.