<P> This type of respiratory failure is caused by conditions that affect oxygenation such as: </P> <Ul> <Li> Low ambient oxygen (e.g. at high altitude) </Li> <Li> Ventilation - perfusion mismatch (parts of the lung receive oxygen but not enough blood to absorb it, e.g. pulmonary embolism) </Li> <Li> Alveolar hypoventilation (decreased minute volume due to reduced respiratory muscle activity, e.g. in acute neuromuscular disease); this form can also cause type 2 respiratory failure if severe </Li> <Li> Diffusion problem (oxygen cannot enter the capillaries due to parenchymal disease, e.g. in pneumonia or ARDS) </Li> <Li> Shunt (oxygenated blood mixes with non-oxygenated blood from the venous system, e.g. right to left shunt) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Low ambient oxygen (e.g. at high altitude) </Li> <Li> Ventilation - perfusion mismatch (parts of the lung receive oxygen but not enough blood to absorb it, e.g. pulmonary embolism) </Li>

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 respiratory failure