A study of different predictors of successful weaning off mechanical ventilation in ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute respiratory failure

Background A lot of indices can be used as predictors of weaning off mechanical ventilation, such as rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), integrative weaning index (IWI), vital capacity (VC), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and respiratory rate (RR). MIP and IWI were considered the most sensitive parameters for prediction of weaning. Objective To compare between the efficacies of some predictors of successful weaning in ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute respiratory failure. Design A total of 30 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with acute respiratory failure were mechanically ventilated and classified into two groups, with 15 patients each. Clinical and demographic data assessment and routine investigations were done for all patients, and then RSBI and IWI were measured in group I, and also VC and MIP were measured in group II, whereas RR was measured in the two groups. Results Successful cases had significantly short duration of ventilation and high IWI, MIP, and VC, but RSBI was significantly lower in successful cases, whereas RR was significantly high in failed cases. Conclusion MIP and IWI were considered the most sensitive parameters in predicting the outcome of weaning, and prolonged duration on mechanical ventilation was associated with weaning failure.