Weaning Failure Of Mechanically Ventilated Patient

Abstract

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is a life-supporting modality that is used in a significant proportion of patients in ICUs It is indicated when the patient’s spontaneous ventilation is not adequate to sustain life or when it is necessary to take control of the patient’s ventilation to prevent impending collapse of other organ functions. Till that time,ventilatory equipment transitioned from negative pressure tanks that surrounded the patient to the familiar positive-pressure machines attached only through theairway and facilitate patient access. Although mechanical ventilation could be lifesaving it is also associated with numerous complications. It includes; complications of intubation, ventilator-induced lung injury, ventilator-associated pneumonia, oxygen toxicity, and intrinsic PEEP. The incidence of some complications increases with duration of mechanical ventilation;thus increasing length of stay, increase mortality, and increase costs which provides a compelling rationale for efforts to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation. Weaning from mechanical ventilation can be defined as the process of abruptly or gradually withdrawing ventilator support. This is usually simple in patients with known good pulmonary functions prior to an acute, reversible event. It is not simple in patients recovering from a prolonged ventilatory or respiratory illness that required mechanical ventilation or when a short acute ventilatory illness is superimposed on a chronic condition that may compromise respiratory reserve.