Patients
chest trauma, neutropenia
NEUTROPENIA, CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE, SYNDROME, ACUTE EXACERBATION OF ASTHMA, ACUTE HYPOXEMIC RESPIRATORY FAILURE, CARDIOGENIC PULMONARY EDEMA
Adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit due to acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were assessed for the enrolment. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure was defined as an acute onset syndrome characterized by new or worsening impairment in oxygenation. Patients were considered eligible for inclusion if the following criteria were met: PaOExclusion criteria were: more than 48 h from the admission in the intensive care unit; acute exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; chest trauma; cardiogenic pulmonary edema; severe neutropenia (< 500 white blood cell count/mm