ACUTE RESPIRATORY-FAILURE IN THE HIV-SEROPOSITIVE PATIENT

Since approximately 40% to 65% of patients with AIDS will develop pulm onary disease, HIV-seropositive patients represent a large cohort of i mmunosuppressed individuals with the potential to progress to respirat ory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and admission to the inte nsive care unit. This article reviews the cause, pathophysiology, diag nostic approach, and management of acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in HIV-seropositive patients. Prognostic facto rs and survival rates for episodes of respiratory failure are also dis cussed. In addition, an overview of acute respiratory failure in pedia tric AIDS patients is presented.