Ultrasonographically diagnosed diaphragmatic dysfunction and weaning failure from mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients.

Clinical data suggest that diaphragmatic dysfunction (DD) is associated with difficult weaning from mechanical ventilation. However, studies focusing specifically on diaphragmatic function in this setting are scarce. OBJECTIVE To predict the outcome of a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) through the ultrasonographic assessment of diaphragmatic and intercostal muscle function.