Respiratory failure is, basically, the inability of the body to exchange either oxygen or carbon dioxide to support body function. And a lot of times, this can be caused by either failure of oxygen, in which case we can place a canula or other oxygen delivery devices to help support oxygen flow. The last, kind of, resort on that is a breathing tube that goes down the throat and connects to a breathing machine to help deliver high oxygen. And the other form is carbon dioxide. When youÕre unable to exchange carbon dioxide, and we have a mask that goes on the face that can help give support and help support breathing. And then another common cause of respiratory failure is other parts of the body not working properly. So, for instance, the brain or patients who have strokes or other conditions where their mental status, or their ability to converse and be awake is affected and we worry about the inability to protect the airway, meaning if youÕre confused or unconscious to the point where youÕre not able to reliably breath, we may have to put a special tube down the throat to support breathing for that person until we can correct that condition.