Respiratory failure
MONDO:0021113The significant impairment of gas exchange within the lungs resulting in hypoxia, hypercarbia, or both, to the extent that organ tissue perfusion is severely compromised. Causes include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, and congestive heart failure. Treatment requires intubation and mechanical ventilation until the time the lungs recover sufficient function.
Also known as: failure, respiratory, respiratory failure, acute respiratory failure, chronic respiratory failure, acute and chronic respiratory failure, acute-on-chronic respiratory failure
789 clinical trials for this condition and its sub-types, 279 tagged with Respiratory failure itself.
Follow this condition to get notified about new trialsWhere it sits in the disease tree
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Sub-types of Respiratory failure
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Acute respiratory failure 153 trials · 588 incl. sub-types
3 sub-types
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome 298 trials · 417 incl. sub-types Sub-types →
- Pulmonary edema 27 trials · 32 incl. sub-types Sub-types →
- Neonatal respiratory failure 13 trials
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Respiratory paralysis 20 trials
Most studied deeper sub-types
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Tailored breathing support may reduce lung injury in ECMO patients
Disease control By invitation onlyThis study tests whether personalized ventilator settings can reduce lung injury in adults with severe respiratory failure who are on ECMO (a heart-lung machine). Researchers will use esophageal manometry or electrical impedance tomography to tailor the ventilator's positive pres…
Sponsor: University of California, San Diego • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Sep 04, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Can a smart pump make Post-Surgical pain relief safer?
Disease control OngoingThis trial is testing a new smart pump (VPIA) that delivers morphine for pain after surgery while continuously monitoring breathing. The goal is to see if this system can provide effective pain relief while reducing the risk of breathing problems. The study involves adults aged 2…
Phase 2/3 • Sponsor: KK Women's and Children's Hospital • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 09, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Smart pain pump could stop Opioid-Induced breathing trouble
Disease control OngoingThis trial tests a new pain relief system for women after surgery. The system delivers morphine through an IV, but it uses a smart algorithm that watches oxygen levels, breathing, and heart rate in real time. If these vital signs show a problem, the pump can adjust the pain medic…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: KK Women's and Children's Hospital • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Aug 08, 2026 00:03 UTC
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Can a recorded voice prompt prevent breathing trouble after surgery?
Disease control OngoingThis study tests whether a device can detect when a patient's breathing slows after surgery and then play a recorded voice telling them to breathe. The device uses standard monitors already used in hospitals. The study includes patients who have or may have sleep apnea and are st…
Sponsor: University of Utah • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jul 01, 2026 00:00 UTC
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New care pathway aims to save lives of ICU patients with breathing failure
Disease control OngoingThis study looks at whether a step-by-step care plan (called TheraPPP) helps patients with severe breathing failure (ARDS) survive and spend less time on a ventilator. The plan includes proven treatments like protective ventilation, paralysis, and prone positioning. About 20,000 …
Sponsor: University of Calgary • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:30 UTC
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Which airway method saves more kids? major trial aims to find out
Disease control PausedThis study tests three ways emergency responders help children breathe: a bag-mask, a throat tube, or a breathing tube. It includes 3,000 children under 18 with cardiac arrest, severe injury, or breathing failure. The goal is to see which method leads to more days alive and out o…
Sponsor: Ohio State University • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:04 UTC
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New trial aims to slash COVID-19 deaths and ventilator use
Disease control OngoingThis study tests several experimental treatments at once in critically ill COVID-19 patients who need high-flow oxygen or a ventilator. The goal is to quickly find which treatments can reduce deaths and shorten the time patients need breathing support. About 1,500 adults in the h…
Phase 2 • Sponsor: QuantumLeap Healthcare Collaborative • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:02 UTC
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Could inhaled gases help COVID-19 patients breathe easier and survive?
Disease control OngoingThis study tests whether giving inhaled anesthetics (isoflurane or sevoflurane) to sedate COVID-19 patients on ventilators can improve survival and reduce time on the breathing machine compared to standard IV sedatives. About 800 adults in the ICU with lung failure will be random…
Phase 3 • Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:03 UTC
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Could a simple shot replace IV blood thinners for ECMO patients?
Disease control OngoingThis study tests if giving the blood thinner heparin as a shot under the skin is as safe and effective as the standard method of giving it through an IV for adults on ECMO (a machine that helps the lungs). The goal is to see if the shot method causes fewer bleeding or clotting pr…
Phase 4 • Sponsor: Baylor Research Institute • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:00 UTC
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Fetal lung MRI hopes to spot breathing trouble before birth
Diagnosis CancelledThis study was designed to see if a special MRI technique (BOLD) could measure how well fetal lungs work in babies with diaphragmatic hernia or abdominal wall defects. Researchers planned to scan the lungs while the mother breathed normal air and then oxygen, looking for changes …
Sponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:01 UTC
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Smart patch listens for breathing danger in opioid patients
Diagnosis By invitation onlyThis study tests a wearable device that listens to breathing sounds through a sensor on the throat. It aims to detect and predict opioid-induced respiratory depression (slow or stopped breathing) in 120 adults recovering from surgery. The device's accuracy will be compared to sta…
Sponsor: Thomas Jefferson University • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:03 UTC
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Home breathing aid for ALS: just as good as hospital?
Symptom relief OngoingThis study looks at whether starting noninvasive ventilation (a breathing mask) at home works as well as starting it in the hospital for people with ALS who have chronic breathing problems. Researchers will track how many hours patients use the device and whether their blood carb…
Sponsor: Tampere University • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Aug 13, 2026 00:00 UTC
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New ICU checklist aims to make final moments more comfortable
Symptom relief OngoingThis study tests a structured team checklist called CMOT for when breathing support is removed from dying ICU patients. The goal is to reduce distress, which occurs in 30-59% of cases. Researchers will enroll 184 patients and ICU staff across four ICUs to see if the checklist is …
Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 14:00 UTC
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New oxygen mask could help heart patients breathe easier after surgery
Symptom relief OngoingThis study looks at a new type of oxygen device (asymmetrical high-flow nasal cannula) for patients recovering from heart surgery. About 63 adults who need extra oxygen after their breathing tube is removed will be randomly assigned to get the new device, a standard high-flow dev…
Sponsor: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:02 UTC
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Custom 3D-printed masks aim to give kids with breathing problems a better night's sleep
Symptom relief OngoingThis study tests custom-made 3D-printed masks for children who use a breathing machine (NIV) at night. Many kids struggle with standard masks that leak, cause sores, or don't fit properly. The new masks are designed from a 3D scan of each child's face to improve comfort and fit. …
Sponsor: Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:02 UTC
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Could a common asthma drug help newborns breathe easier?
Symptom relief OngoingThis phase 3 trial tests whether inhaled salbutamol, a drug used for asthma, can help newborns with transient tachypnoea (rapid breathing after birth). About 608 babies born between 32 and 42 weeks will receive either salbutamol or a placebo. The goal is to see if the drug reduce…
Phase 3 • Sponsor: Medical University of Warsaw • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:57 UTC
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Can genes predict pain relief and opioid risks in kids?
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study looks at genetic differences in 1,200 children aged 3-15 having tonsillectomy to see if certain genes affect how they respond to morphine. The goal is to predict which children will have serious side effects or poor pain relief. By understanding these genetic links, do…
Sponsor: Senthil Sadhasivam • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Sep 19, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Oxygen sweet spot: new study aims to cut ventilator time for ICU patients
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study tests whether training ICU staff to keep oxygen levels between 90-96% helps patients on breathing machines recover faster. Researchers will track how many days patients are free from the ventilator and how often dangerously low oxygen goes unnoticed. The goal is to imp…
Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Sep 18, 2026 00:00 UTC
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A chest belt that maps the lungs could help breathing machines fit better
Knowledge-focused By invitation onlyResearchers at the Royal Free Hospital are testing whether electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a radiation-free imaging method that uses a chest belt and low-level electrical currents, can help clinicians adjust breathing machines for people with chronic respiratory failure. T…
Sponsor: Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Sep 11, 2026 00:00 UTC
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New software aims to cut ventilator complications in ICUs
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study tests whether a software tool called the Respiratory Knowledge Portal (RKP) can help ICU teams reduce complications in patients on breathing machines. Researchers will collect data from 875 patients to see if the tool improves how alarms are set, helps wean patients of…
Sponsor: The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Sep 05, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Which ventilator mode saves more lives? massive ICU study aims to find out
Knowledge-focused By invitation onlyThis study looks at whether the type of breathing machine setting used in the intensive care unit (ICU) affects how well patients recover. Researchers will switch the ventilator mode used across entire ICUs every two months and track outcomes like days alive without a breathing m…
Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Aug 30, 2026 00:00 UTC
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New Bio-Bank aims to unlock secrets of lung disease and transplants
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study is building a bio-bank of blood samples from people who have had a lung transplant. Researchers will use these samples to study advanced lung diseases and improve transplant care. The goal is to better understand how infections and other factors affect patient outcomes…
Sponsor: Baylor Research Institute • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Aug 15, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Low oxygen or organ failure? study aims to uncover true driver of ICU deaths
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study analyzes data from over 1,200 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure who were on breathing machines in Spanish ICUs. Researchers are using a statistical method called mediation analysis to determine whether low oxygen levels directly cause death, or whether …
Sponsor: Jesus Villar • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jul 19, 2026 00:00 UTC
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COVID-19 ICU survivors may face unique long-term disabilities, study suggests
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study follows 500 ICU patients to compare long-term mental and physical health between those with and without COVID-19. Researchers use surveys and tests to measure quality of life, thinking skills, and emotional well-being. The goal is to identify specific problems caused b…
Sponsor: University of Chicago • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jul 15, 2026 00:00 UTC
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AI eye on lungs: new scan test could spot severity of breathing failure
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study is testing whether a computer can automatically measure how much lung tissue is damaged in patients with severe breathing problems from COVID-19 or after surgery. Researchers will compare the computer's lung measurements to standard severity scores in 500 patients. The…
Sponsor: University Hospital, Strasbourg, France • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 13:04 UTC
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Ultrasound peek at diaphragm could guide breathing support
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study observes how the diaphragm works in 100 adults with acute respiratory failure who need non-invasive breathing support or high-flow oxygen. Researchers use ultrasound to measure diaphragm movement and thickness at different support levels. The goal is to understand how …
Sponsor: Foro Internacional en Cuidado Crítico • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:34 UTC
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Which oxygen level is best for sick newborns? study aims to find out
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study looks at two different oxygen level targets for newborns who have trouble breathing or a condition called pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs). About 54 babies born at 35 weeks or later are randomly assigned to one of two oxygen goals. Researchers …
Sponsor: University of California, Davis • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:05 UTC
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New study tests helmet breathing aid for severe lung failure
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study looks at two ways to help people in the ICU who have trouble breathing due to low oxygen levels. It compares using a helmet-like device plus high-flow oxygen through the nose versus high-flow oxygen alone. The goal is to see which approach works better and to gather in…
Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:02 UTC
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Can moving more in the ICU help seniors recover better?
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study follows 312 older adults who survived a critical illness to see how much they moved during their ICU stay. Researchers want to learn if more activity leads to less disability, better mobility, and clearer thinking 3 to 12 months later. The goal is to find ways to impro…
Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:01 UTC
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ICU muscle mystery: new study aims to uncover why patients stay weak
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study looks at why over half of ICU patients develop severe muscle weakness that can last for months or years. Researchers will use muscle biopsies, ultrasound, and strength tests on 50 critically ill adults to find better ways to diagnose and track this condition. The goal …
Sponsor: Vanderbilt University • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:01 UTC
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New study aims to personalize care for breathing failure patients
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study looks at 500 patients with severe breathing failure due to pneumonia who are using a non-invasive breathing mask. Researchers will measure their energy needs, muscle function, and blood markers to identify different patient types. The goal is to better understand how t…
Sponsor: Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:11 UTC
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Could a simple change in position improve oxygen levels?
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study looks at whether moving from lying flat to sitting upright improves oxygen levels in patients with respiratory failure who are on breathing machines. Researchers will measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. The study involves 16 adults and aims to unders…
Sponsor: University of Chicago • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:10 UTC
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Smart mask could spot worsening breathing in pneumonia patients
Knowledge-focused OngoingThis study tests whether temperature sensors placed inside a Venturi mask can monitor breathing patterns in 82 patients hospitalized with pneumonia and respiratory failure. The goal is to see if these patterns can detect early signs of deterioration before patients need a breathi…
Sponsor: Consorci Sanitari Integral • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:04 UTC
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Obesity lung pressure study pulled before starting
Knowledge-focused CancelledThis study aimed to measure pressure inside the chest (pleural pressure) in people with morbid obesity using a low-dose CT scan and a thin balloon placed in the esophagus. Researchers planned to compare 6 people with a BMI over 40 to 6 people with a BMI under 30. The study was wi…
Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:01 UTC
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Can muscle scans predict breathing trouble in ALS?
Knowledge-focused By invitation onlyThis study looks at 80 people with ALS to see if electrical tests (EMG) and ultrasound scans of breathing muscles can predict when they will need breathing support. The goal is to start noninvasive ventilation at the right time. Researchers will also check for links between muscl…
Sponsor: Jagiellonian University • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 17:04 UTC