Diaphragm ultrasound as a predictor of successful extubation from mechanical ventilation

Background Ultrasonography can be used for assessment of diaphragmatic mobility and thickness. Diaphragm is the main muscle of respiration. Rationale To predict successful extubation from mechanical ventilation. Patients and methods Forty patients were involved in the present study. They were admitted in the ICU at Abbassia Chest Hospital. They received the conventional measurements for weaning and transdiaphragmatic ultrasonography after extubation. We assessed the diaphragmatic mobility and diaphragmatic thickening fraction. All ultrasonography findings were gathered and compared with some of the usual weaning tools such as arterial blood gas and respiratory mechanics. The findings were statistically analyzed. Results Thirty-one patients revealed successful liberation from mechanical ventilation. Diaphragmatic mobility and thickening fraction showed high sensitivity and specificity compared with other weaning tools. The cutoff value was 10 mm for mobility and 30% for diaphragmatic thickening fraction. Conclusion Diaphragmatic ultrasonography can be used as a new tool for prediction of weaning process.