In summary, the mechanical ventilation withdrawal process relates not only to the inspiratory driving force driven predominantly by the diaphragm, but also to cough strength, which involves the expiratory muscles.
Excessive sputum production, significant airway inflammation [ 5, 6], and a change of chest wall geometry make their weaning from mechanical ventilation a burdensome process that is usually complicated with severe sepsis and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).
Serious physiological and psychological sequelae are associated with protracted invasive mechanical ventilation, necessitating efficient processes to safely reduce and remove ventilator support, termed weaning [ 1, 2].
During NIV there is a predisposition for the stomach to be inflated with gas, which could cause severe respiratory complications, especially in COPD patients, and thus prolong the mechanical ventilation and the weaning process.
In critically ill patients, thermoregulatory processes are affected by multiple external and physiological variables, including vasoactive medications, sedation, mechanical ventilation and underlying disease processes [ 27].
Weaning from mechanical ventilation is defined as the process of release of ventilatory support and how the evaluation of this phase is conducted in the Spontaneous Breathing Test (SBT).
Introduction: The majority of patients entering the weaning process from mechanical ventilation (MV) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will have a short and simple weaning (SW) successfully terminated within 24 hours, while other may take up to one week (difficult weaning) or longer.
The withdrawal of mechanical ventilation as a terminal care process occurs with increasing frequency.
A respiratory rate ≥ 20 breaths/min or a partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide ≤ 32 mmHg, or the use of mechanical ventilation for an acute respiratory process.
