Weaning Outcome is Associated with ELWI and Impaired Diastolic Function.

Objectives: To evaluate hemodynamic profiles of critical care patients undergoing spontaneous t-piece trial (SBT) and present weaning failure.

Methods: Prospective observational study conducted in ready-to-wean non-cardiac ICU patients. Clinical, echocardiographic and thermodilution-derived variables were recorded before and after a 2-hour SBT. Weaning from mechanical ventilation was defined as preservation of spontaneous breathing for 48 hours following successful SBT.

Results: Fourteen patients succeeded weaning, five manifested T-trial-failure and six late-failure. Weaning outcome was significantly associated with ELWI(Extravascular lung-water index), global-end-diastolic index and impaired diastolic function, as indicated by pre-T Doppler early wave velocities (E/Em); Fifty-six percent of participants presented ELWI≥7mL/kg when fulfilling predetermined criteria for weaning. ELWI, impaired pulmonary permeability and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were independent determinants of ELWI.

Conclusions: ELWI before SBT and impaired diastolic function (as indicated by pre-T E/Em) might be weaning outcome determinants and their assessment may allow better risk stratification in weaning decision making.