Correlation between weaning outcome of patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation and changes in skeletal muscles as assessed by ultrasonography

Abstract

Skeletal muscle dysfunction develops early and rapidly during the course of critical illness. This dysfunction, defined clinically as intensive care unit acquired weakness (ICU-AW), is associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays, and increased hospital and one-year mortality The aim of this study was to use ultrasound to assess changes in quadriceps muscle in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation and to correlate these changes with weaning outcome. This study was an observational, analytical & cross sectional study, comprising 80 patients who were mechanically ventilated for 7 days or more in respiratory ICUs of Ain Shams University hospitals during the period between January 2019 & March 2021. All sequential patients were initially assessed on first day of mechanical ventilation and only patients who stay on MV for more than seven days were included. All patients were subjected to: 1. Complete history taking which was taken from the patient &/or his relatives including exercise trainin