Continuous monitoring of patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation

Abstract

Mechanical ventilation is an important lifesaving tool in the modern ICU, but just as critical as its use is knowing when to wean a patient from it. This study used the new technology of the continuous metabolic monitor coupled with auto and cross correlation analyses to discern differences between pass and fail patient groups during weaning trials. These dynamic analyses were compared to the mean values of respiratory parameters commonly used by clinicians. It was found that the cross correlation function differences were more significant than differences in all parameters examined, except ventilatory equivalent.