Understanding Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure in ICU Patients: Epidemiology, Ventilatory Management, and Outcomes from a Multi-ICU Cohort Study

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Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) affects 50% of ICU patients receiving respiratory support. Increasing AHRF severity correlates with longer ICU stays, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and higher mortality. Most patients are managed with lung-protective ventilation strategies derived from ARDS research. Implementing a pragmatic, standardized AHRF definition could enhance patient recognition, enable study comparisons, and inform clinical practice.

Study Background and Disease Burden