Diaphragmatic Dysfunction as a Predictor of Weaning Outcomes from Mechanical Ventilation in Postoperative Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease Complicated with Cachexia

Background and Objective: This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of the diaphragmatic excursion for weaning from mechanical ventilation in postoperative patients with rheumatic heart disease complicated with cachexia. Methods: Eighty-four postoperative patients with rheumatic heart disease complicated with cachexia who need mechanical ventilation >72 h were enrolled for this prospective study. All patients were evaluated during the weaning process from June 2015 to March 2018. Patients received SBT for 1 h, and we performed ultrasound for the right hemidiaphragm and tested the diaphragmatic excursion. Patients who passed the SBT and no need for reintubation or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) within 48 h were classified as Group A and others were classified as Group B. Results: We found that the diaphragmatic excursion of Group B (0.76 ± 0.23 cm) was significantly smaller than that of Group A (1.19 ± 0.62 cm), and the oxygen partial pressure of Group B (70.1 ± 9.2 mmHg) was significantly lower than that of Group A (98.6 ± 7.8 mmHg). Conclusion: The assessment of diaphragmatic excursion using ultrasound may be helpful to predict the outcome of weaning for postoperative patients with rheumatic heart disease complicated with cachexia.