title: Pulmonary mechanics in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation requiring tracheostomy.
abstract: This study was performed to assess the changes in pulmonary mechanics before and after tracheostomy in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation and to detect pre-tracheostomy physiologic factors that predict the outcome of weaning from mechanical ventilation. Pulmonary mechanics were recorded before and after tracheostomy in 20 patients. Work of breathing, mean airway resistance and pressure/time product showed no significant differences after tracheostomy. Peak inspiratory pressure was significantly reduced (pre 33.4 +/- 11.8 vs post 28.6 +/- 9.2 mmHg). There was no difference in age or duration of mechanical ventilation between two different groups according to the outcome (weaned and not-weaned). Pre-tracheostomy intrinsic positive end expiratory pressure (PEEPi) was significantly lower in the weaned group (1.1 +/- 1.6 vs 2.7 +/- 1.4 mmHg). A significant difference was also found in pre-tracheostomy compliance (Cstatic) (47.3 +/- 36.9 vs 28.8 +/- 16.5 ml/cmH2O). We concluded that tracheostomy changed pulmonary mechanics very little except for a fall in peak inspiratory pressure. Patients who had better underlying lung mechanics (higher Cstatic and lower PEEPi) had better chances of weaning from mechanical ventilation after tracheostomy.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Care Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tsao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000403:Airway Resistance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008170:Lung Compliance; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D018467:Positive-Pressure Respiration, Intrinsic; D011312:Pressure; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D013990:Tidal Volume; D014139:Tracheostomy; D015300:Ventilator Weaning; D014939:Work of Breathing