Acute Respiratory Failure in Hematological Malignancies

Acute respiratory failure in patients with hematological malignancies is a common complication and the most prevalent reason for ICU admission. The management of this complex circumstance necessitates an awareness of the relationship between cancer and pulmonary problems of anticancer therapy. Managing respiratory failure in hematological malignancies necessitates a thorough and customized therapeutic approach. Prompt identification of the underlying reason, ideally with less invasive techniques, may improve prognosis. Management, as in all other ARF patients, is mostly supportive to enhance oxygenation and ventilation and pertinent to the cause of respiratory failure. Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible, especially in febrile neutropenic patients, and thereafter should be adjusted down based on culture results. Delayed intubation may be associated with greater mortality by masking signs of respiratory distress under NIV as well as HFNC, and hence, early intubation in ARF in immunocompromised patients is recommended to improve survival.