The Impact of Anemia in Patients With Respiratory Failure.

The article discusses the impact of anemia in patients with respiratory failure. Anemia may have serious consequences in the patient with respiratory failure if oxygen delivery to the tissues is impaired and aerobic metabolism is not maintained. Tissue hypoxia in the critically ill patient is a serious problem that may result from either defects in oxygen delivery or impaired oxygen utilization at the cellular level. The principal determinants of oxygen delivery are arterial oxygen saturation, hemoglobin levels, and cardiac output. Anemia may be an associated risk factor for poor outcomes from mechanical ventilation. There is a need to infuse latest technology to improve the safety and efficacy of RBC transfusions in critically ill patients. New treatments for anemia in the critically ill should be developed.