A 2-minute pre-extubation protocol for ventilated intensive care unit patients.
BACKGROUND
Clinicians often are challenged with safely predicting the optimal time of extubation for ventilated patients. Commonly used weaning parameters have poor positive predictive value for successful extubation.


METHODS
A total of 213 intubated patients in our 20-bed surgical intensive care unit were enrolled in a trial to test a prospective, observational, 2-minute extubation protocol (TMEP). Daily measurements were obtained on all intubated patients who met criteria, which included adequate oxygenation, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, hemoglobin, Glasgow Coma Score greater than 10t, absence of significant metabolic/respiratory acidosis, and absence of therapeutic or neurologic paralysis. During TMEP, endotracheally intubated patients were physically disconnected from the ventilator for a 2-minute period of observation while spontaneously breathing room air. Patients were extubated if they tolerated the trial without clinically significant desaturation or alteration of vital signs or mental status.


RESULTS
The TMEP reliably predicted successful extubations in 203 of 213 patients (95.3%). Patients who required reintubation had a longer intensive care unit stay and a longer hospital stay.


CONCLUSIONS
TMEP is a simple and reliable method of predicting successful extubation.
Nisim
Abraham Avi
AA
Trauma Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Suite 8215, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
Margulies
Daniel R
DR
Wilson
Matthew T
MT
Alban
Rodrigo F
RF
Dang
Catherine M
CM
Allins
Alexander D
AD
Shabot
M Michael
MM
D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D013531:Surgicenters; D013997:Time Factors; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000379:methods; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery