Radiological signs of pulmonary congestion do not predict failed spontaneous breathing trial

Both delayed and premature liberation from mechanical ventilation (MV) are associated with increased morbimortality. Positive pressure ventilation exerts beneficial effects in individuals with cardiogenic pulmonary edema; inspiratory fall in intra-thoracic pressure during spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), in its turn, may precipitate cardiac dysfunction through abrupt increase in venous return and in left ventricular afterload.