Lung and Diaphragm Ultrasound in Predicting Extubation and Weaning of Mechanically Ventilated Patients in Intensive Care Unit

Overview

This study aims to evaluate the role of lung ultrasound score (LUS), diaphragmatic excursion (DE), and diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) as predictors of successful extubation in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). It also compares these ultrasound-based parameters to traditional weaning criteria.

Mechanical ventilation is a necessary life support technology for critically ill patients. The weaning outcome affects the morbidity and mortality of patients when their primary disease improves. Moreover, lung ultrasonography can be used as an effective measure in the evaluation of lung aeration which is useful during the weaning procedure as it reflect the aeration loss and consequently predict the respiratory distress in the postintubation period, a validated score termed the lung ultrasound score(LUS) can be used to evaluate the loss of lung aeration. Numerous data measured through diaphragmatic ultrasonography have been recommended for the same purpose, which involve measurement of diaphragmatic muscle movement during inspiration or excursion during the respiratory cycle (DE), and diaphragmatic muscle thickening or diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF).

Conditions