Ultrasonography to Access Diaphragm Dysfunction and Predict the Success of Mechanical Ventilation Weaning in Critical Care

Abstract

Introduction¿Weaning failure is common in mechanically ventilated patients, and whether ultrasound (US) can predict weaning outcome remains controver sial. This review aims to evaluate the diaphragmatic function measured by US as a predictor of weaning outcome. Methods¿PubMed was searched to identify original articles about the use of diaphragmatic US in ICU patients. A total of 61 citations were retrieved initially; available data of 26 studies were included in this review. Results¿To assess diaphragmatic dysfunction in adults, six studies evaluated excursion, five evaluated thickening fraction, and both in nine. Despite heteroge neity in the diagnostic accuracy of diaphragm US among the studies, the sono graphic indices showed good diagnostic performance for predicting weaning outcome. Conclusions¿Diaphragmatic US can be a useful and accurate tool to detect diaphragmatic dysfunction in critically ill patients and predict weaning outcome. Key Words¿critically ill patients; diaphragmatic ultrasonography; extubation outcome; ventilator weaning