Ultrasound-Guided Diaphragmatic Thickness Assessment as an Indicator of Successful Extubation in Mechanically Ventilated

Each patient will have an orotracheal tube, and will be mechanically ventilated in pressure support ventilation (PSV) mode according to the clinical needs. Local guidelines for sedation of postoperative patients prescribe the use of an intravenous (iv) continuous infusion of propofol, starting at 1.5 mg/kg/h and titrated to obtain a Richmond agitation-sedation scale (RASS) score of 0/-1. Analgesia is provided as a 6- to 8-ml/h continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0.125% + fentanyl 2-mcg/ml solution, aiming at a verbal numerical rating <4 or a behavioral pain scale <7. If epidural analgesia is not feasible, patients receive 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/h continuous iv infusion of morphine + iv acetaminophen 1 g three/four times per day. Patients enrolled when judged to be eligible for a test of weaning from mechanical ventilation, following the local weaning guidelines, that is, adequate cough, absence of excessive tracheobronchial secretion, clinical stability, heart rate (HR) <140/min, systolic blood pressure between 90 and 140 mmHg, arterial partial pressure of oxygen/inspired oxygen fraction (PaO2/FIO2) ≥150 mmHg, respiratory rate <35/min, maximal inspiratory pressure < -20 cmH2O, respiratory rate/tidal volume ratio <105 breaths/(min/l) [19]. Weaning trials consisted of spontaneous breathing(SB) trials on PS mode (reducing PS by 5 cm H2O until a PS level of Δ5/5 was obtained). A successful extubation will be defined as SB for >48 h following extubation. A failed extubation will be defined as reintubation within 48 h. The RSBI (f in breaths/minute (f)/tidal volume in liters (VT)will be calculated simultaneously with ultrasound measurements of tdi and simultaneously with other criteria for weaning.

TECHNIQUE Diaphragm thickness (tdi) was measured using a 6-13 MHz linear ultrasound probe set to B mode (SonoSite M-turbo ultrasound machine). The right hemidiaphragm was imaged at the zone of apposition of the diaphragm and rib cage in the midaxillary line between the 8th and 10th intercostal spaces as previously described.[18] All patients were studied with the head of bed elevated between 20° and 40°. The tdi was measured at end-expiration and end-inspiration. The percent change in tdi between end-expiration and end-inspiration (Δtdi%) was calculated as (tdi end-inspiration-tdi end-expiration/tdi end-expiration) ×100. The Δtdi% for each patient represented the mean of three to five breaths. Images were obtained within the first 5 min of the PS trial and immediate before extubation. Data will be collected: 1. Diaphragmatic thickness. 2. The percent change in tdi between end-expiration and end-inspiration Δtdi%. 3. Arterial blood gases (ABG). 4. Rapid Shallow Breathing Index (RSBI) = Respiratory rate/Tidal volume. 5. Duration of ventilator treatment. 6. Success and failure rate of weaning. 7. Body mass index (BMI).