extubation readiness brain injured 2014

BACKGROUND: Extubation failure in the neurocritical care unit (NCCU) is difficult to predict, and is an important source of prolonged intensive care, exposure to morbidity, and increased cost. METHODS: In this observational cohort study in the NCCU of a tertiary care hospital, we examined patients undergoing extubation or tracheostomy with >6 h of intubation. Observational data were collected at the time of the decision to extubate or pursue tracheostomy. The primary end-point was extubation failure within 72 h...

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a systematic approach to weaning and extubation (intervention) is superior to the sole physician's judgment (control) in preventing reintubation secondary to extubation failure in patients with neurologic disorders. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Intensive care unit of a large teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Three hundred eighteen intubated patients who had been receiving mechanical ventilation for at least 12 hrs and were able to trigger the ventilator...

RATIONALE: Mechanical ventilation is associated with morbidity in patients with brain injury. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of an extubation readiness bundle to decrease ventilator time in patients with brain injury. METHODS: Before-after design in two intensive care units (ICUs) in one university hospital. Brain-injured patients ventilated more than 24 hours were evaluated during two phases (a 3-yr control phase followed by a 22-mo intervention phase)...