Diaphragm ultrasound as a predictor of successful extubation from mechanical ventilation

Author Department

Medicine

Document Type

Article, Peer-reviewed

Publication Date

5-2014

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if ultrasound derived measures of diaphragm thickening, rather than diaphragm motion, can be used to predict extubation success or failure.

METHODS:

Sixty-three mechanically ventilated patients were prospectively recruited. Diaphragm thickness (tdi) was measured in the zone of apposition of the diaphragm to the rib cage using a 7-10 MHz ultrasound transducer. The percent change in tdi between end-expiration and end-inspiration (Δtdi%) was calculated during either spontaneous breathing (SB) or pressure support (PS) weaning trials. A successful extubation was defined as SB for >48 h following endotracheal tube removal.

RESULTS:

Of the 63 subjects studied, 27 patients were weaned with SB and 36 were weaned with PS. The combined sensitivity and specificity of Δtdi%≥30% for extubation success was 88% and 71%, respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 91% and 63%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.79 for Δtdi%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ultrasound measures of diaphragm thickening in the zone of apposition may be useful to predict extubation success or failure during SB or PS trials.

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