Diaphragmatic strength during weaning from mechanical ventilation

Respiratory muscle weakness is considered to be a factor in the inability to wean from mechanical ventilation. To assess this possibility, the present study examined the mechanical behavior of the diaphragm by measuring the change in transdiaphragmatic pressure (delta Pdi) during weaning. Nine "T-piece" weanings were carried out in seven patients with prior weaning failure and were terminated with the development of hypercapnia, hypoxemia, or severe tachypnea. Serial measurements of delta Pdi during these weans revealed that (1) in no case was there a decrease in delta Pdi at termination of weaning, and (2) in the subgroup of patients whose weaning failed because of hypercapnia, the increase in arterial carbon dioxide tension (mean increase of 12 mm Hg) was associated with a significant increase in delta Pdi, from the beginning (21.1 +/- 12.1 cm H2O) to the end (24.8 +/- 13.4 cm H2O) of the trial (p less than 0.05). We conclude that failure to wean in these patients, in particular the development of carbon dioxide retention, was not due to failure of the diaphragm as a pressure generator.     

Steady-state breathing pattern responses to small inspiratory resistive loads in COPD patients. Application to weaning from mechanical ventilation

We investigated the effect of small inspiratory resistive loads on the breathing patterns of patients with COPD admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory failure. Patients were in stable clinical condition three days after weaning from the acute-phase ventilation. Healthy nonsmokers served as controls. Breathing patterns were recorded for 20-min periods during unloaded breathing (R0), then with small inspiratory resistive loads (R1 = 2.5 cmH2O L/s and R2 = 5.2 cmH2O L/s) applied in random order. Respiratory parameters were memorized in real time and blood gases measured continuously with a transcutaneous PO2/PCO2 monitor and compared periodically with arterial blood gases. Minute volume (VE) and respiratory rate decreased with no modification in blood gas values. In the COPD patients, R1 was too small to be perceived; when R2 was applied, no increase in TI was observed, and VT and VT/TI decreased. The VE could not be maintained despite a shortening of expiratory time. The COPD patients did not have significant increase of occlusion pressure (P0.1). Mean blood gas values did not change during the testing, but the coefficient of variation of tcPCO2 increased. During the critical period following weaning from artificial ventilation, COPD patients did not respond in the same manner as normal subjects to inspiratory resistive loads, but did not have modified gas exchange during the 20-min period.     

The pattern of breathing during successful and unsuccessful trials of weaning from mechanical ventilation

We prospectively examined the pattern of breathing in patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation: one group (n = 10) underwent a successful weaning trial and were extubated, whereas another group (n = 7) developed respiratory failure and required the reinstitution of mechanical ventilation. During the period of ventilator support, minute ventilation (VI), tidal volume (VT), and respiratory frequency (f) were similar in the 2 groups. After discontinuation of the ventilator, VI remained similar in the 2 groups, but VT was lower and f was higher in the patients who failed the trial compared with those who were successful, 194 +/- 23 and 398 +/- 56 ml (p less than 0.001), respectively, and 32.3 +/- 2.3 and 20.9 +/- 2.8 breaths/min (p less than 0.001), respectively. The failure group displayed a significant increase in PaCO2 (p less than 0.005) during spontaneous breathing, without a concomitant increase in the alveolar-arterial PO2 difference. Eighty-one percent of the variance in PaCO2 was accounted for by the pattern of rapid, shallow breathing. During weaning, resting respiratory drive (reflected by mean inspiratory flow, VT/TI) and fractional inspiratory time (TI/Ttot) were similar in the 2 groups. The patients in the failure group showed significant increases in VT/TI, 265 +/- 27 to 328 +/- 32 ml/s (p less than 0.01), and VI, 5.82 +/- 0.53 to 7.32 +/- 0.52 L/min (p less than 0.01), from the beginning to the end of the weaning trial; VT and f showed no further change.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The control of breathing during weaning from mechanical ventilation

Using the recruitment threshold technique, we measured the CO2 responsiveness of the unloaded respiratory pump in 14 mechanically ventilated patients prior to weaning. The CO2 recruitment threshold (CO2RT) was compared with the arterial CO2 tension during unassisted breathing (CO2SB) and with the PaCO2 during mechanical ventilation (CO2MV) at machine settings determined by the primary physician. Based on these comparisons, we tested the hypotheses that (1) patients without weaning-induced respiratory distress (group 1) maintain CO2SB near CO2RT, (2) patients with weaning-induced respiratory distress (group 2) retain CO2SB above CO2RT, thereby manifesting incomplete load compensation, and (3) CO2MV is ventilator setting dependent and provides insufficient information about the ventilatory requirement during weaning. Respiratory distress was prospectively defined as sustained tachypnea (rate greater than or equal to 30) or intense dyspnea (Borg scale rating) and limited weaning in nine of 14 patients. The average CO2RT was 40 mm Hg in both groups. All patients in group 1 maintained CO2SB near CO2RT (p greater than 0.1). Seven of nine patients in group 2 retained CO2 by greater than or equal to 3 mm Hg above CO2RT (p less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between CO2MV and CO2SB in either group. We conclude that CO2RT provides a better reference of the adequacy of ventilatory load compensation during weather than CO2MV.     

Effects of doxapram on hypercapnic response during weaning from mechanical ventilation in COPD patients.

Failure of weaning from mechanical ventilation in COPD patients is often related to diaphragmatic fatigue. Whether there is a central respiratory drive fatigue and a reserve of excitability is still debated. The purpose of this study was to analyze the following in 13 COPD patients weaned from mechanical ventilation: (1) ventilatory (VE/PETCO2) and neuromuscular (P0.1/PETCO2) response to hypercapnia; (2) the maximum reserve capacity measured through changes in the VE/PETCO2 and P0.1/PETCO2 slopes after doxapram (DXP) infusion, which, given during the test, allows measurement of the maximum response capacity to overstimulation; and (3) analyze the influence of these changes on the outcome of weaning. The results show a variable P0.1/PETCO2 response and a low VE/PETCO2. DXP infusion does not change the slopes of these relations but increases the end-expiratory volume (delta FRCd); (p less than 0.02). Since there was no change in the VE/PETCO2, P0.1/PETCO2, and delta FRC values with or without DXP, there was no excitability reserve in patients who were successfully weaned. When weaning failed, DXP did not change VE/PETCO2 and P0.1/PETCO2 slope, but delta FRCd was greater the delta FRC (p less than 0.001). The excitability reserve in these patients leads to an increase in end-expiratory volume, probably worsening the diaphragm dysfunction.     

Inspiratory pressure support prevents diaphragmatic fatigue during weaning from mechanical ventilation

Persistent inability to tolerate discontinuation from mechanical ventilation is frequently encountered in patients recovering from acute respiratory failure. We studied the ability of inspiratory pressure support, a new mode of ventilatory assistance, to promote a nonfatiguing respiratory muscle activity in eight patients unsuccessful at weaning from mechanical ventilation. During spontaneous breathing, seven of the eight patients demonstrated electromyographic signs of incipient diaphragmatic fatigue. During ventilation with pressure support at increasing levels, the work of breathing gradually decreased (p less than 0.02) as well as the oxygen consumption of the respiratory muscles (p less than 0.01), and electrical signs suggestive of diaphragmatic fatigue were no longer present. In addition, intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure was progressively reduced. For each patient an optimal level of pressure support was found (as much as 20 cm H2O), identified as the lowest level maintaining diaphragmatic activity without fatigue. Above this level, diaphragmatic activity was further reduced and untoward effects such as hyperinflation and apnea occurred. When electrical diaphragmatic fatigue occurred, the activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was markedly increased, whereas it was minimal when the optimal level was reached. We conclude that in patients demonstrating difficulties in weaning from the ventilator: (1) pressure support ventilation can assist spontaneous breathing and avoid diaphragmatic fatigue (pressure support allows adjustment of the work of each breath to provide an optimal muscle load); (2) clinical monitoring of sternocleidomastoid muscle activity allows the required level of pressure support to be determined to prevent fatigue.     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病撤机困难呼吸力学特征10例分析

目的为提高慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者撤机成功率提供生理学依据。方法检测2006年1月至2009年12月广州医学院第一附属医院收治的10例撤机困难COPD患者的呼吸力学指标,观察患者自主呼吸(SB)及机械通气时的呼吸力学指标变化。结果 SB时的呼吸频率(RR)、潮气量(VT)和分钟通气量(Ve)分别为(27.94±8.23)次/min、(0.266±0.107)L和(6.843±1.333)L/min,机械通气时的RR降低,而VT和Ve时升高(均P<0.05)。SB和机械通气时的动态内源性呼吸末正压分别为(0.82±0.19)kPa和(0.41±1.12)kPa,SB时明显增高(P<0.01),吸气中期气道阻力(RL)(2.43±0.94)kPa/(L.S)。SB时的P0.1为(0.61±0.16)kPa。SB时的最大跨膈压、最大食管负压和最大吸气口腔压分别为(5.08±0.93)kPa、(-5.00±0.95)kPa和(-3.78±0.86)kPa。SB时跨膈压(Pdi)和吸气压力时间乘积(PTPins)分别为(0.82±0.20)kPa和(48.93±11.94)kPa.s;机械通气时较SB显著降低,分别为(0.67±0.17)kPa和(30.33±11.72)kPa.s(P均<0.05)。结论撤机困难COPD患者存在显著的呼吸力学异常,SB时呼吸浅快,动态内源性呼吸末正压、RL与呼吸中枢驱动等均增高,吸气肌肉无力;应用PSV(1.57 kPa)联合PEEP(48%动态内源性呼吸末正压)可降低约50%的动态内源性呼吸末正压、17.8%的Pdi和38%的PTPins。     

经面罩机械通气治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病撤机失败患者的临床研究

目的探讨BiPAP呼吸机面罩机械通气(FMMV)辅助慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)合并呼吸衰竭机械通气患者撤机的价值。方法将首次撤机失败的28例患者随机分为两组经BiPAP呼吸机面罩通气治疗组(A组)和人工气道机械通气组(B组),比较两组机械通气时间、住ICU时间、医疗费用及病死率等。结果机械通气时间A组(7±3)天,B组(14±3)天;住ICU时间A组(9±3)天,B组(27±6)天。医疗费用A组(13980±2000)元,B组(25000±3213)元;病死率A组14.3%,B组64.3%。两者间比较均有显著差异(P<0.01)。结论对于符合撤除有创机械通气的COPD合并呼吸衰竭而不能成功撤机的患者,应用FMMV,可以避免再插管,减少医疗费用,提高抢救成功率。     

不同通气模式对慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者机械通气撤机过程的应用比较

目的观察并比较压力支持通气(Pressure support ventilation,PSV)和适应性支持通气(Adaptive support ventilation,ASV)两种通气模式对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(简称慢阻肺)患者机械通气撤机过程的影响。方法将83例慢阻肺患者随机分为两组,对照组(n=41)患者采用ASV通气模式,观察组(n=42)采用PSV通气模式;比较两组患者的临床优劣性和实用性。结果两组患者撤机前后的血气分析无显著变化(P0.05);两组患者的撤机成功率、撤机失败率、重新插管率以及撤机时间均无显著差异(P0.05);两组均未发现临床水平呼吸机相关肺损伤情况。结论 PSV和ASV在慢阻肺患者机械通气中有着较为相近的撤机成功率,临床效果无显著区别,且可以在一定程度降低呼吸负荷、保护肺组织,均能够较好地应用于临床。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病呼吸衰竭机械通气脱机策略

目的 探讨COPD呼吸衰竭有创机械通气脱机策略.方法 机械通气治疗COPD呼吸衰竭108例,分析治疗结果.结果 106例患者成功脱机、拔管,抢救成功率达98％.结论 采取恰当有创机械通气脱机策略,有较高抢救成功率.     

Oxygen uptake during weaning from mechanical ventilation

Total body oxygen uptake (VO2) increases during the transition from machine-assisted ventilation to spontaneous breathing. Since the volume of oxygen consumed by the respiratory muscles must contribute to the increase in VO2 (delta VO2), we explored whether delta VO2 and/or measurements of respiratory power output (Wresp) provide clinically useful information in the evaluation of disease state and weaning decisions in patients with respiratory failure. We determined the metabolic, ventilatory, and hemodynamic responses of ten patients during weaning from controlled mechanical ventilation, and compared delta VO2 and Wresp of patients without overt heart-lung disease (group 1) to that of patients with significant cardiopulmonary dysfunction and ventilator-dependent respiratory failure (group 2). We reasoned that for delta VO2 to be clinically useful, individual values must either clearly differ between groups, must be higher in patients with heart-lung disease, and/or correlate with weaning outcome and independent measurements of respiratory work. The VO2 increased in nine of ten patients. The differences between the groups in the values of delta VO2 (27 ml/min and 49 ml/min) and respiratory power (9.38 J/min and 11.99 J/min) were not significant. delta VO2 and Wresp were not correlated (r = 0.2), and neither predicted weaning outcome. We conclude that the sensitivity and specificity of delta VO2 and Wresp appear insufficient for evaluation of disease state and weaning decisions in individual patients.     

Effects of albuterol inhalation on the work of breathing during weaning from mechanical ventilation

The work of breathing is a major determinant of the success of weaning from mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to assess whether an inhaled bronchodilator could reduce the mechanical load on the respiratory muscles and diminish the work. For this purpose, 15 intubated patients in the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation inhaled the beta 2-agonist bronchodilator albuterol via a spacer device filled with 1 mg of the drug and connected to the endotracheal tube. During spontaneous breathing, the mean work of breathing diminished significantly after albuterol, from 9.35 +/- 1.05 to 8.33 +/- 1.13 J/min (p less than 0.01), and seven patients exhibited a decrease superior or equal to 15%. This decrease resulted from a marked reduction in lung and airway resistance, from 12.0 +/- 1.7 to 9.8 +/- 1.4 cm H2O.L-1.s (p less than 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the breathing pattern, intrinsic PEEP or arterial blood gas measurements after albuterol, and peripheral cardiovascular effects were not significant. In seven patients, we were able to compare the changes that occurred after albuterol in the work of breathing during weaning from mechanical ventilation with the changes in pulmonary function induced by albuterol after extubation, as assessed by the forced oscillation method. A close correlation was found between the two types of change, further indicating that the reduction in the work of breathing was more likely to occur in patients with the largest bronchodilating effect of albuterol at baseline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者长期人工通气撤机指标的临床研究

目的评价床边综合肺功能作为长期人工通气的慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者脱机指标的指导意义。方法监测58例（成功组：43例,失败组：15例）通气时间＞72h的COPD呼衰患者达到临床脱机标准后的血气分析、肺功能及呼吸力学的改变情况。结果两组患者的血气分析、急性生理、慢性健康评分（APACHEⅡ）、氧合指数、动态顺应性及气道阻力均无显著差异（P均＞0．05）;成功组患者的肺活量／潮气量（VC／V_T）、最大吸气负压（Pi_(max)）和浅快呼吸指数（f／V_T）分别为：2．10±0．20、（－21±4）cmH_2O及（74±30）次·min~(-1)·L~(-1);失败组患者则依次为1．30±0．20、（－13±3）cmH_2O及（115±20）次·min~(-1)·L~(-1),两组结果比较差异有显著性,P均＜0．05。以VC／V_T＞1．8、Pi_(max)＜－18cmH_2O和f／V_T＜105次·min~(-1)·L~(-1)作为临界值预测此类患者脱机成功与否,具有较高的敏感性（84％）和特异性（90％）。结论　综合肺功能指标（VC／V_T、Pi_(max)及f／V_T）可用于指导长期通气的COPD患者选择脱机时机,适宜在我国目前条件下推广普及。     

Diaphragmatic contraction during assisted mechanical ventilation

Indirect evidence from airway pressure recordings in mechanically ventilated patients suggests that the diaphragm exhibits contractile activity beyond that required to trigger a ventilator-assisted breath. We used the diaphragmatic EMG to provide direct evidence of persistent contractile activity and studied the effects of alterations in ventilator-delivered flow rate and tidal volume on the duration of diaphragmatic contraction. The duration of contraction was expressed in terms of inspired volume. During a single breath, diaphragmatic force generation ceases at the point of peak electromyographic activity; hence, the inspired volume at peak EMG is the volume at the diaphragmatic off-switch (Voff). Ventilator-delivered flow rate and tidal volume were varied during assisted (patient-initiated) and controlled (ventilator-initiated) breaths while diaphragmatic EMG and inspired volume were recorded simultaneously in ten patients with a variety of illnesses requiring mechanical ventilation. Spontaneous ventilator-unassisted breaths were also recorded for comparison. We found that (1) during assisted breaths, diaphragmatic activity continued after the ventilator was triggered, (2) Voff was usually close to spontaneous tidal volume, (3) Voff increased significantly as ventilator-delivered flow rate increased, and (4) controlled breaths may also be associated with phasic electromyographic activity. The data have implications for resting patients on assisted ventilation.     

Metabolic and respiratory changes during weaning from mechanical ventilation

Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a procedure performed daily in intensive care units. This study sought to determine whether among postoperative patients there were any differences in the changes in oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) between those patients in whom mechanical ventilation was successfully discontinued and those in whom it was continued or reinstituted. A stepwise reduction in mandatory breaths (from 10 to 12 to 4 to 6), followed by a period of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), was the weaning method. In the group of patients (N = 18) who were successfully weaned, VO2 and VCO2 increased 10 +/- 8 (SD) percent and 10 +/- 9 percent, respectively, while VE decreased 9 +/- 8 percent and PaCO2 was unchanged when values at an IMV of 10 to 12 were compared with those on CPAP. In the group (N = 17) who were not successfully weaned, VO2 and VCO2 increased 8 +/- 10 percent and 6 +/- 9 percent, respectively, while PaCO2 rose (37.9 +/- 4 to 42.5 +/- 2.9) significantly (p less than 0.02). There was a significantly greater decrease (15 +/- 3 percent) in VE than in the other group. Changes in VO2 or VCO2 did not aid in predicting which patients would be successfully weaned.     

Oxygen cost of breathing and diaphragmatic pressure-time index. Measurement in patients with COPD during weaning with pressure support ventilation

The oxygen cost of breathing and the time integral of the transdiaphragmatic pressure were measured at the onset of the weaning period in eight patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring mechanical ventilation. Measurements were achieved during continuous positive airway pressure ventilation and during 15 cmH2O pressure support ventilation. For both periods, the O2COB was estimated as the difference between oxygen uptake of the period and that during controlled ventilation. During CPAP ventilation, the O2COB was 16.9 +/- 1.5 percent. During PSV, it was only 6.3 +/- 1.3 percent, and PTdi decreased by 73 percent compared to the CPAP period. Both effects illustrate the ability of PSV to facilitate spontaneous breathing during weaning from mechanical ventilation. However, we found these measurements to be of no help in predicting the duration of the weaning process.     

Difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation

Difficult weaning is fortunately a rare occurrence in mechanically ventilated patients in ICU. When faced with this problem, a vast number of factors must be carefully considered simultaneously: physiological adjustment, technical problems (tubing, circuit resistances, ...) [13]. The most promising approach to difficult weaning to date centers on the respiratory muscle function which represents the most common factor allowing weaning success or failure.     

Automated weaning from mechanical ventilation

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is one of the lifesaving techniques applied to critically ill patients at bedside. However, some complications, such as ventilator-induced lung injury and ventilator-associated pneumonia, may occur in a patient undertaking MV and are often related to the duration of MV. Some written protocols have been proposed to reduce the risk of such complications, but they can be time consuming, leading to fluctuation in protocol implementation and compliance. Moreover, written instructions tend to be general and thus cannot cover all possible scenarios, resulting in variable interpretation of the protocol. To overcome these limiting factors, protocols have been computerized and there is convincing evidence in the literature showing that computerized protocols benefit management of the process and reduce the time a patient spends under MV. QuickWean is a computer-aided weaning protocol implemented on the Hamilton S1 ventilator (Hamilton Medical AG, Bonaduz, Switzerland), which guides the patient through the weaning process without requiring any intervention by the treating physician. The fully-automated ventilation mode is INTELLiVENT^®-ASV (Hamilton Medical AG), which is set according to the patient’s respiratory mechanics, patient-ventilator interaction, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and pulmonary end-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO₂). The INTELLiVENT^®-ASV mode sets automatically each minute to provide accurate ventilation, pressure support, fraction of inspired oxygen and positive end-expiratory pressure based on the patient’s needs. QuickWean can be pre-set to match the established weaning policy of an intensive care unit as well as being customized to a patient’s needs. It provides a progressive reduction of respiratory support, and guides the patient through the spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). At the end of the SBT, the ventilator re-starts the previous ventilation support and provides a report of the successful SBT. During all phases, PetCO₂, SpO₂ and all breathing parameters are monitored. This new automated weaning tool may improve the safety and effectiveness of an SBT, reducing the time spent in the process of weaning and providing a lower workload for the treating physician.