Respiratory muscle ultrasound echo characteristics and weaning outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis: a prospective observational study.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the relationship between changes in the ultrasound echo intensity of respiratory muscles and weaning outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis.

Methods: We prospectively observed patients with sepsis receiving mechanical ventilation admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine at our hospital, and categorized them into weaning success (n = 75) and weaning failure (n = 35) groups according to their weaning outcomes. The baseline respiratory muscle echo intensity of the patients was observed, and the relationship between the respiratory muscle ultrasonographic echo characteristics and weaning outcomes was evaluated.

Results: Baseline respiratory muscle echo intensity was significantly higher in the weaning failure group than in the weaning success group. The incidence of respiratory muscle echoes during mechanical ventilation was significantly higher in the weaning failure group than in the weaning success group. The respiratory muscle echo characteristics changed after ICU admission. Increased respiratory muscle echo intensity was detected earlier and more readily in patients with weaning failure than in those with respiratory muscle atrophy, and enhanced respiratory muscle echo was associated with a decrease in the incidence of cumulative weaning success.

Conclusion: Mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis with failed weaning had higher respiratory muscle echo intensities than those in the weaning success group. Futhermore, there was an association between the respiratory muscle echo intensity and weaning outcomes.