Chest challenge -Difficulty ventilating

By Dr Deepu

A 55-year-old male with chronic dyspnea is intubated and started on mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure Pressure-volume scalars on the ventilator show decreased change in volume for each unit change in pressure as compared to normal values. Of the following options, which is the most likely cause of  his respiratory failure?

A. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

B.Asthma

C. Centriacinar emphysema

D. Pulmonary fibrosis

E. Alpha-1 -antitrypsin deficiency

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