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Home › Conditions › Respiratory Failure

Respiratory Failure

Subtypes of Respiratory Failure

Airway Obstruction 3 Chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure 1 Nasal obstruction 1 Respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation 1

16 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for Respiratory Failure

65 trials tracked for Respiratory Failure: 6 in phase 3 or 4 and 5 with published results. The most-cited published study has 121 citations.

65Trials tracked
6Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
5With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 3 Phase 3 3 Phase 2 9 Phase 1 2 Other / NA 48
  1. Phase 4 Preventing Cardiovascular collaPse With Administration of Fluid Resuscitation Before Endotracheal Intubation Completed · 121 cited
  2. Phase 3 Astral VAPS AutoEPAP Clinical Trial Completed · 40 cited
  3. Phase 4 Randomized Trial of Sedative Choice for Intubation Completed · 27 cited
  4. Phase 3 Heart And Lung Failure - Pediatric INsulin Titration Trial Completed · 25 cited
  5. Phase 3 Self-management of Sedative Therapy by Ventilated Patients Completed · 4 cited
  6. Phase 4 Study of Sedative Medications in Patients With Severe Infection and Respiratory Failure Completed
Show 44 more trials
  1. Phase 2 Fibrinolytic Therapy to Treat ARDS in the Setting of COVID-19 Infection Completed
  2. Phase 2 Nebulized Hypertonic Saline for Mechanically Ventilated Children Completed
  3. Phase 2 Testing the Feasibility of Patient Controlled Sedation for Ventilated ICU Patients Completed
  4. Phase 2 Tenecteplase in Patients With COVID-19 Completed
  5. Phase 2 The Effect of Thiamine vs. Placebo on VO2 in Critical Illness Completed
  6. Phase 2 Efficacy and Safety of Dexmedetomidine During Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation Completed
  7. Phase 2 Vitamin D in Ventilated ICU Patients Completed
  8. Phase 2 Ganciclovir/Valganciclovir for Prevention of CMV Reactivation in Acute Injury of the Lung and Respiratory Failure Completed
  9. Phase 2 Acetaminophen and Ascorbate in Sepsis: Targeted Therapy to Enhance Recovery Completed
  10. Phase 1 Novel Arm Restraint in the Intensive Care Unit Completed
  11. Phase 1 Pectointercostal Fascial Plane Block (PIFB) Alone Versus PIFB With Rectus Sheath Block (RSB) in Cardiac Surgery Completed
  12. N/A DirEct Versus VIdeo LaryngosCopE Trial Completed
  13. N/A Extubation With or Without Spontaneous Breathing Trial Completed
  14. N/A Non-invasive Ventilation vs Oxygen Therapy After Extubation Failure Completed
  15. N/A Efficiency of the King Vision Video Laryngoscope Completed
  16. N/A Mobile Critical Care Recovery Program for Acute Respiratory Failure Survivors Completed
  17. N/A Impact of Early Enteral vs. Parenteral Nutrition on Mortality in Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation and Catecholamines Completed
  18. N/A Protocolized Post-Extubation Respiratory Support Study Completed
  19. N/A Comparison Between Two Methods of Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) Completed
  20. N/A Extubation Readiness and Neuroventilatory Efficiency After Acute Respiratory Failure Completed
  21. N/A Safety and Efficacy of Endotracheal Intubation Using Glidescope Video-Laryngoscope Completed
  22. N/A Third International Study on Mechanical Ventilation Completed
  23. N/A The Emergency Department Sedation Pilot Trial Completed
  24. N/A Trilogy Comparison Study - Pediatrics Completed
  25. N/A Bougie Use in Emergency Airway Management Completed
  26. N/A Pragmatic Trial Examining Oxygenation Prior to Intubation Completed
  27. N/A Treatment of Critical Illness Polyneuromyopathy Completed
  28. N/A Implementation of Nudges to Promote Utilization of Low Tidal Volume Ventilation (INPUT) Study Completed
  29. N/A Novel Non-Invasive Monitoring Parameter in a Hospital Setting Completed
  30. N/A Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Completed
  31. N/A Mode Of Ventilation During Critical IllnEss Pilot Trial Completed
  32. N/A Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Followed by Convalescent Plasma Transfusion in Severe and Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients Completed
  33. N/A Assessing Ventilator Safety in Patients on Pressure-Support Ventilation Completed
  34. N/A Multi-center Evaluation of the NEMO Gauge to Aid in Correct Positioning of the Endotracheal Tube Completed
  35. N/A Pilot Study of High-flow Humidified Nasal Oxygen During Breaks From Noninvasive Ventilation Completed
  36. N/A Nasal and Bronchial Absorption Sampling in RSV Bronchiolitis Completed
  37. N/A Performance of Baccalaureate Nursing Students in Insertion of Laryngeal Mask: a Trial in Mannequins Completed
  38. N/A Diaphragm Ultrasound Vs Transpulmonary Pressure To Set PEEP in ARDS Completed
  39. N/A Metabolites of Tramadol in the Postoperative Surgical Patients Completed
  40. N/A Electrical Stimulation in Patients With Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation Completed
  41. N/A External Nasal Dilator and Oxygen Therapy in Respiratory Failure Completed
  42. N/A A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT)in the ICU and CCU Completed
  43. N/A Pragmatic Investigation of optimaL Oxygen Targets Trial Completed
  44. N/A Effect of Thiamine on Oxygen Utilization (VO2) in Critical Illness Completed

Showing the 50 most-cited and recently-updated of 65 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found Updated — new results For clinicians

Respiratory Failure: what the trials found

Ketamine is established as a treatment option for respiratory failure 1.

The use of Astral was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the Oxygen Desaturation Index 4% (ODI4%) compared to standard care (3.16 vs 7.61; p=0.0134) 7.

Dexmedetomidine has been shown to significantly reduce the duration of mechanical ventilatory support after study enrollment (68.7 vs 50.3; p=0.02), while it did not significantly impact anxiety ratings or the incidence of delirium 9. Additionally, dexmedetomidine was associated with a specific aggregate sedative exposure during use 13 and showed no significant difference in NIV tolerance scores or Riker-SAS score distribution 18.

Intravenous crystalloid fluid (500 mL) was evaluated for its impact on ventilator-free days (20; 19) and ICU-free days (16; 14) 5. Insulin administration resulted in comparable outcomes for ICU-free days (20; 19.4) and ventilator-free days (21.8; 20.9), with a low incidence of severe hypoglycemia 8.

Propofol did not show statistically significant differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation, MICU stay, or vasopressor support 6.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Volume Control mode was evaluated for ventilator-free days (VFDs) to Day 28 2.
  • Enteral nutrition and electroencephalography were investigated in recent trials [3, 4].
  • A rectus sheath block with bupivacaine was assessed regarding post-extubation pain scores and quality of recovery 19.
  • The Viasys Avea Ventilator was evaluated for ventilator-free days 21.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Dexmedetomidine significantly reduces the duration of mechanical ventilatory support in patients with respiratory failure.
  • Astral intervention is associated with a significant reduction in Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI4%).
  • Ketamine, intravenous crystalloid fluids, and insulin are established interventions within the clinical context of respiratory failure.

AI synthesis of 11 cited trials, updated Jun 25, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
1 in 7 COPD patients decline or discontinue long-term PAP therapy, meta-analysis finds
Pulmonology & Critical Care Meta-analysis
1 in 7 COPD patients decline or discontinue long-term PAP therapy, meta-analysis finds 1 in 7 COPD patients decline or stop breathing therapy
This systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with COPD newly prescribed long-term noninvasive positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy…
A new analysis finds 14% of COPD patients decline or stop long-term breathing therapy, often within six weeks.
Jun 4, 2026
NIV with total face mask managed acute respiratory failure in two patients with Madelung's disease and COVID-19 pneumonia
Rheumatology Sys. Review
NIV with total face mask managed acute respiratory failure in two patients with Madelung's disease and COVID-19 pneumonia Non-invasive ventilation may help patients with Madelung's disease and respiratory failure
This case series describes non-invasive ventilation using a total face mask in two patients with Madelung's disease who experienced acute re…
A small case series suggests non-invasive ventilation can manage acute respiratory failure in patients with Madelung's disease, though more …
Frontiers Jun 4, 2026
Conservative oxygen targets show no mortality difference in mechanically ventilated critically ill adults
Emergency Medicine Meta-analysis
Conservative oxygen targets show no mortality difference in mechanically ventilated critically ill adults New Oxygen Rules Save Lives Without Extra Risk in ICU
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 20,447 mechanically ventilated critically ill adults in the ICU found no substantial difference …
ICU teams can safely use less oxygen for ventilated patients, new research shows, potentially reducing harm without raising death risk for m…
May 8, 2026
Endoscopic Guidance Does Not Reduce Complications in Tracheostomy
Emergency Medicine RCT
Endoscopic Guidance Does Not Reduce Complications in Tracheostomy At-a-Glance
In a multicenter RCT, endoscopic-guided percutaneous tracheostomy did not lower perioperative complications compared to nonendoscopic guidan…
A major trial found that using a camera to guide a breathing tube surgery in ICU patients offered no safety advantage over the standard proc…
May 8, 2026
Adenotonsillectomy with turbinate ablation shows no added benefit for pediatric SDB
Pediatrics RCT
Adenotonsillectomy with turbinate ablation shows no added benefit for pediatric SDB Submucosal ablation adds little benefit to adenotonsillectomy for children
This randomized prospective study compared adenotonsillectomy with submucosal ablation of turbinates (AT with SAT) versus AT alone in 51 chi…
A small study found no significant difference in nasal quality of life between children receiving adenotonsillectomy alone versus those also…
May 1, 2026
Feasibility trial protocol for ultrasonography-guided therapeutic pleural drainage in ICU patients with pleural effusion and respiratory failure
Emergency Medicine RCT
Feasibility trial protocol for ultrasonography-guided therapeutic pleural drainage in ICU patients with pleural effusion and respiratory failure A new trial protocol checks if ICU drainage helps adults with fluid buildup and breathing trouble
This feasibility trial protocol evaluates ultrasonography-guided therapeutic pleural drainage with small-bore catheter in adults acutely adm…
This feasibility trial protocol checks if draining fluid from the lungs helps adults in the ICU who have breathing trouble and fluid buildup…
May 1, 2026
Dataset describes continuous monitoring in premature VLBW infants across four US NICUs
Pediatrics
Dataset describes continuous monitoring in premature VLBW infants across four US NICUs Heart rate and oxygen data tracked in premature infants
This dataset description covers continuous heart rate and oxygen saturation monitoring in 3,829 premature very low birth weight infants acro…
A new dataset tracks continuous heart rate and oxygen levels in 3,829 premature infants to improve care.
medRxiv Apr 23, 2026
Machine learning models outperformed APACHE-II for predicting mortality in severe community-acquired pneumonia patients with respiratory failure
Rheumatology Cohort
Machine learning models outperformed APACHE-II for predicting mortality in severe community-acquired pneumonia patients with respiratory failure Machine learning models may predict pneumonia death risk better than standard scores in ICU patients
This retrospective cohort study evaluated machine learning models versus the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) s…
New computer models predict pneumonia death risk in ICU patients more accurately than standard scores doctors currently use.
Frontiers Apr 20, 2026
Machine learning models predict noninvasive support failure in acute respiratory failure with moderate accuracy
Cardiology Meta-analysis
Machine learning models predict noninvasive support failure in acute respiratory failure with moderate accuracy AI Predicts Breathing Trouble, But Can We Trust It Yet?
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 34,500 adults with acute respiratory failure found machine learning prediction models had a pooled …
A new computer program predicts breathing tube failure with 84% accuracy, but doctors must decide if this tool is ready to save lives.
Frontiers Apr 12, 2026
Meta-analysis profiles emergent surgical airways in head and neck conditions
ENT (Otolaryngology) Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis profiles emergent surgical airways in head and neck conditions A Simple New Plan Could Save Lives in a Rare Airway Crisis
A meta-analysis of 14 studies (1,011 procedures) characterized emergent surgical airways for head and neck conditions.
For patients with head and neck conditions who suddenly can’t breathe, a new analysis of over 1,000 emergencies provides a clearer, safer ro…
Apr 12, 2026
Emergency sclerotherapy resolves airway obstruction in neonates with giant head and neck lymphatic malformations
Pediatrics Cohort
Emergency sclerotherapy resolves airway obstruction in neonates with giant head and neck lymphatic malformations A Simple Procedure Saves Newborns Struggling to Breathe
A retrospective cohort study of 13 neonates with giant head and neck lymphatic malformations complicated by airway obstruction found that em…
Doctors have refined a life-saving technique that can relieve a newborn’s airway obstruction in days, preventing the need for risky surgery.
Frontiers Apr 11, 2026
Narrative review examines expanded role of tracheostomy in pediatric care since 1999
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Sys. Review
Narrative review examines expanded role of tracheostomy in pediatric care since 1999 Review explores expanded role of tracheostomy in children with complex medical needs
A narrative review discusses the evolving role of tracheostomy in children since 1999, noting its expansion beyond airway obstruction to inc…
Tracheostomy for children with complex medical needs now serves more than emergency breathing, helping manage chronic issues and improving q…
Frontiers Apr 7, 2026

Questions about Respiratory Failure

Does continuous monitoring of heart rate and oxygen saturation help premature infants with respiratory problems?

Yes, continuous monitoring of heart rate and oxygen saturation is standard for premature infants with respiratory problems, as it helps detect deterioration early and guide treatment.

Full answer →
What causes respiratory failure in a male neonate with X-linked centronuclear myopathy?

Respiratory failure in a male neonate with X-linked centronuclear myopathy is caused by severe muscle weakness from MTM1 gene mutations, leading to inadequate breathing and ventilator dependence.

Full answer →

All Respiratory Failure Articles