Respiratory failure in tuberculosis: a modern perspective

Abstract

Acute respiratory failure is more common in miliary tuberculosis than in tuberculous bronchopneumonia and also has a worse prognosis. Chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure is frequent after both spinal tuberculosis and surgical treatments for pulmonary tuberculosis. It may develop insidiously or present acutely, for instance, during a chest infection. Hypoventilation appears during REM sleep before non-REM sleep or wakefulness and is readily treatable with non-invasive ventilation. The prognosis is good even if initially tracheostomy ventilation is required temporarily.