Epidemiology of Respiratory Insufficiency in Critical Care

Acute respiratory failure is a common entity in intensive care units nowadays and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, thus representing a major health problem. Most of the published epidemiological studies on this condition were performed when modern ventilatory strategies and non-invasive ventilation were not available. Therefore, an actual evaluation on the incidence and outcomes of this syndrome is mandatory. We will perform an observational prospective study of patients admitted with acute respiratory insufficiency in several ICUs in Brazil.