WEANING FROM MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Dr MEGHA JAIN

University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital, Delhi

HEADINGS

• Purpose of weaning and extubation. • Rationale of predictive indices in weaning. • Application of weaning parameters. • Methods of weaning. • Impediments to weaning. • Extubation and terminal weaning.

Different stages in mech. Ventilated pts.

1. Treatment of ARF

2. Suspicion

3. Assessing readiness to

wean

4. SBT

5. Extubation 6. Reintubation

Admit Discharge

DEFINITIONS

• Weaning is the gradual reduction in the level of ventilatory support.

• Weaning success: effective spontaneous breathing without any mechanical assisstance for 24 hrs or more.

• Weaning failure: when pt is returned to mechanical ventilation after any length of weaning trial.

• Signs of weaning failure: abnormal blood gases, diaphoresis, tachycardia, tachypnea, arrythmias, hypotension.

Morbidity Associated With Prolonged Intubation and Mechanical Ventilation

• Vocal cord granulomas • Ulceration of the true vocal

cords • Circumferential fibrous

stenosis of trachea • Epithelial damage, loss of

cilia, and impairment of tracheal mucus clearance

• Risk factor for nosocomial pneumonia

• Precludes oral feeding

The assessment of weaning proceeds in two phases:

Phase 1: To ensure that certain basic criteria regarding initial reason for mechanical ventilation are satisfied Phase 2: Determine whether weaning is likely to succeed on the basis of specified criteria

READINESS FOR VENTILATOR WEANING

Major determinants of ability to wean can be classified into three categories:

• oxygenation • ventilatory pump function • neuropsychiatric status

OXGYGENATION

• Criteria of Adequacy PaO2 > 60 mmHg on FIO2 <0.4 at minimal PEEP, PaO2/FIO2>200 • Selected causes of failure:

– Hypoventilation: neurologic injury or drugs – V/Q mismatch: severe CHF – Anatomic (R-to-L) shunt (e.g. intracardiac, pulmonary

A-V malformation).

VENTILATION

• Criterion of Adequacy PaCO2 < 50 mmHg or within 8 mmHg of baseline • Selected causes of failure

– respiratory drive: sedation, drug overdose. – resp bellows function: diaph weakness, N-m disease – CO2 production without compensatory ↑ in alveolar Ve:

• fever, hypermetabolism, carbohydrate overfeeding - dead space ventilation without compensatory ↑ alveolar Ve:

• PE, bullous emphysema

NEUROPSYCHIATRIC INTEGRITY

• Criteria of adequacy Awake, alert, cooperative, with intact gag and swallowing • Selected causes of failure Cerebrovascular accident Sleep deprivation/ICU psychosis Drug therapy Depression Psychological dependency on ventilatory support

WEANING CRITERIA

• Used to evaluate the readiness of a patient for weaning trial.

• Common weaning criteria: Ventilatory criteria Oxygenation criteria Pulmonary reserve Pulmonary measurements Other factors

VENTILATORY CRITERIA

• PaCO2: < 50 mmhg with pH >/= 7.35. • VC: > 10 to 15 ml/kg • Spontaneous VT: > 5 to 8 ml/kg • Spontaneous RR: < 30/min • Minute ventilation: < 10 lts

PaCO2 – most reliable indicator VC and spon VT – indicate mechanical cond of lungs

A high spon RR and MV indicate ↑ WOB

OXYGENATION CRITERIA

• PaO2 without PEEP > 60 mmhg @FiO2 upto 0.4 • PaO2 with PEEP > 100 mmhg @ FiO2 upto 0.4 • SaO2 > 90% @ FiO2 upto 0.4 • Qs/Qt < 20% • P(A-a)O2 < 350 mmhg • PaO2/FiO2 > 200 mmhg

Qs/Qt estimate wasted pulmonary perfusion P(A-a)O2 is related to degree of hypoxemia/shunt

In pts with anemia or dysfunct Hb, PaO2 and SaO2 don’t reflect true oxygenation status So arterial oxygen content should be measured

PULMONARY RESERVE AND MEASUREMENTS

• Pulmonary reserve: Max. voluntary ventilation – 2×min. vent@FiO2 upto 0.4 Max. Insp. Pressure < -20 to -30 cmH2O in 20 sec. • Pulmonary measurements: Static compliance > 30 ml/cm H2O Vd/Vt < 60%

Pulmonary reserve requires active pt cooperation Pulmonary measurements indicate workload needed to support spont. ventilation

COMBINED WEANING INDICES

• Simplified weaning index: evaluates efficiency of gas exchange. = ( fmv (PIP – PEEP)/MIP) × PaCO2/40. should be < 9/min.

• CROP index: evaluates pulmonary gas exchange and balance b/w respiratory demands and respiratory neuromuscular reserve. = ( Cd × MIP × PaO2/PAO2)/f. Should be > 13 ml/breath/min.

• RSBI: should be < 105 cycles/min/lt. = f/Vt. Most accurate test to predict weaning success.

RSBI

• First described by Yang and Tobin in 1991. • It’s a one min. trial of unassisted breathing measured during the

T –piece trial. • Main defect: excessive false +ves • Should not be measured until sedative and narcotic effects have

adequately abated and the pt. triggers 2 to 3 breaths/min above ventilator set rate.

• Measure RR and MV for 1 min. during unassisted breathing( 0 PEEP/5 cmH2O PSV).

• At end of 1 min. divide MV by RR to calculate avg. tidal vol. • Divide RR by TV to obtain RSBI.

OTHER FACTORS • Metabolic factors:

* Inadequate nutrition – protein catabolism * Overfeeding - ↑ CO2 production * Phosphate, ? Magnesium deficiency - ↓respi pump functn * Impaired O2 delivery - ↓respi pump functn.

• Renal function: * Patient should have adeq renal output (> 1000 ml/day) * Monitor electolytes to ensure adequate respi msl functn

• Cardiovascular function * Ensures sufficient O2 delivery to tissues *Cardiac rate, rhythm, BP, CO and CI should be optimal with minimal pressure support

• CNS assessment * Assess for LOC, anxiety, dyspnea, motivation * CNS should be intact for protection of airway.

Weaning methods

• Spontaneous breathing trial • SIMV with pressure support. • PSV • Rapid ventilator discontinuation: pt.on vent for < 72 hrs., has

good spont RR, MV, MIP, f/Vt SBT for 30 to 120 min. EXTUBATE if no other limiting factor

Spontaneous Breathing Trial

• T-Tube trial: allows spont. breathing several times per day interspersed with periods of ventilatory support.

• Initial SBT’s may last only 5 to 30 min. • Resume mechanical ventilation at night or if distress occurs.

ADVANTAGES Tests pt’s spon breathing ability Allows periods of work and rest

Weans faster than SIMV

DISADVANTAGES Abrupt transition difficult for sm pts No alarms, unless attached to vent.

Requires careful observn.

Weaning protocol for a SBT with a T-Tube

Verify that pt is a candidate for vent. discontinuation

Primary cause reversed

Pt is afebrile, awake, alert and free of seizures HD stable with adeq. Hb, S.E.

Oxygenation and ventilation adequate

PaO2>/= 60mmhg on FiO2 </= 0.4 with PEEP/CPAP </= 5 to 8 cmH2O PaO2/FiO2 > 150 to 200 mmhg

PaCO2 < 50; pH > 7.35

Other indices: - f/VT < 105 - MIP < -20 cm H2O - f < 30 and > 6/min. - VC > 10 to 15 ml/kg - TV > 5 ml/kg

Weaning protocol for a SBT with a T-Tube Prepare for T-Tube trial

3 min. screening trial

Measure TV,RR Measure MIP thrice selecting the best

Adequate staff, equipment, no sedatives

Formal SBT of upto 2 hrs.

MIP < -20 cm H20 TV spon. > 5 ml/kg RR spon. < 35/min.

Continue trial for 30 – 120 min.

Extubate if no signs of intolerance

Signs of intolerance of SBT

• Agitation, anxiety, diaphoresis or change in mental status • RR > 30 to 35/min • SpO2 < 90% • > 20% ↑ or ↓ in HR or HR > 120 to 140/min • SBP > 180 or < 90 mmhg. Such pts are returned to full ventilatory support for 24 hrs. to

allow the ventilatory msls. to recover.

Weaning with SIMV

• Involves gradual reduction in machine rate based on ABG and clinical assessment.

• Rate is generally adjusted in increments of 2 breaths/min. followed by pt assessment.

ADVANTAGES Gradual transition

Easy to use Minimum MV guaranteed

Alarm system may be used Should be used in comb. with PSV/CPAP

DISADVANTAGES Pt. – ventilator asynchrony

Prolonges weaning May worsen fatigue

Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV)

Patient determines RR, VE, inspiratory time – a purely spontaneous mode • Parameters

• Triggered by pt’s own breath • Limited by pressure • Affects inspiration only

• Uses • Complement volume-cycled

modes (i.e., SIMV) • Does not augment TV but

overcomes resistance created by ventilator tubing

• PSV alone • Used alone for recovering

intubated pts who are not quite ready for extubation

• Augments inflation volumes.

PSV is most often used together with other volume-cycled modes. PSV provides sufficient pressure to overcome the resistance of the ventilator tubing, and acts during inspiration only.

Pressure support ventilation

• Begin with PSV that achieves a RR of 20 to 25/min or less. • Adjust pressure to achieve a TV of 8 to 10 ml/kg. • Reduce PSV 2 to 4 cm H2O as tolerated, ideally at least twice

daily. • Consider extubation when pt. tolerates PSV of 5 to 8 cm H2O for

2 hrs with no apparent distress.

Pressure support ventilation

ADVANTAGES Gradual transition Prevents fatigue

Increased pt comfort Weans faster than SIMV alone

Every breath is supported Pt can control cycle length, rate

and inspiratory flow. Overcomes resistive WOB d/t

ET tube and circuit.

DISADVANTAGES Large changes in MV can occur

↑ed MAP versus T-Tube TV not guaranteed

Mandatory minute ventilation

• Also called minimum minute ventilation, provides predetermined minute ventilation when pt’s spon. breathing effort becomes inadequate.

• Prevents hypoventilation and respi. acidosis in final stages of weaning.

• Trigger is ↑ in mandatory RR when actual MV < preset MV. • All mandatory breaths are volume cycled. • Desired min. minute vol. is preset on the vent. Slightly lesser

than that required to normalize PaCO2. • If distress + pt tends to ↑ RR at expense of ↓ TV , leads to

significant dead space ventilation

Mandatory minute ventilation

ADVANTAGES Backup ventilation ensured, Potential to speed weaning

compared with SIMV.

DISADVANTAGES May not ensure efficient

pattern of breathing, Rapid shallow breathing

possible with MMV.

Automatic Tube Compensation

• Compensates for the resistance of ETT • Facilitates “ electronic weaning “ i.e pt during ATC mimic their

breathing pattern as if extubated ( provided upper airway contorl provided)

• OPERATION

As the flow ↑ / ETT dia ↓, the P support needs to be ↑to ↓WOB

∆P (P support) α (L / r4 ) α flow α WOB

Static condition – single P support level can eliminate ETT resistance

Dynamic condition – variable flow e.g. tachypnoea & in diff phases of resp.

- P support needs to be continously altered to eliminate dynamically changing WOB d/t ETT

1. Feed resistive coef of ETT

2. Feed % compensation desired

3. Measures instantaneous flow

Calculates P support proportional to resistance throughout respiratory cycle

Limitation – resistive coef changes in vivo ( kinks, temp molding, secretions) Under/ overcompensation may result.

Proportional Assist Ventilation

• Targets fixed portion of patient’s work during “spontaneous” breaths

• Automatically adjusts flow, volume and pressure needed each breath

WOB Ventilator measures – elastance & resistance Clinician sets -“Vol. assist %” reduces work of elastance “Flow assist%” reduces work of resistance's Increased patient effort (WOB) causes increased applied pressure

(and flow & volume)

ELASTANCE (TV)

RESISTANCE (Flow)

Limitations

1. Elastance (E) & resistance (R) cannot be measured accurately. 2. E & R vary frequently esp in ICU patients. 3. Curves to measure E ( PV curve) & R(P-F curve ) are not linear

as assumed by ventilator.

ventilation without artificial airway -Nasal , face mask

adv. 1.Avoid intubation / c/c 2.Preserve natural airway defences 3.Comfort 4.Speech/ swallowing + 5.Less sedation needed 6.Intermittent use

Disadv 1.Cooperation 2.Mask discomfort 3.Air leaks 4.Facial ulcers, eye irritation, dry nose 5.Aerophagia 6.Limited P support e.g. BiPAP, CPAP

Noninvasive

Role of tracheostomy in weaning

• Performed in ventilator dependent pts., timing is controversial.

• Beneficial in: ↓ed sedation requirement, articulated speech, allowed orally, enhanced mobility.

Role of tracheostomy in weaning

• Early tracheostomy ( in 2 days of admission ) reduces mortality, risk of pneumonia, accidental extubation, ICU length of stay.

Reduces dead space Less airway resistance

↓ed WOB Better suctioning

Improved pt comfort

Facilitates weaning

Complications

• Misplacement • Hemorrhage • Obstruction • Displacement • Impairment of swallowing reflexes • Late tracheal stenosis.

Weaning failure

• Defined as when pt is returned to mech. Ventilation after any length of weaning trial or is reintubated within 48 hrs following extubation.

• Causes: 1. ↑ed air flow resistance- ET tube, abdominal distention, tracheal obstruction. 2. ↓ed compliance- atelectasis, ARDS, tension pneumothorax, obesity, retained secretions, bronchospasm, kinking of ETtube. 3. Electrolyte imbalance, inadequate nutrition.

Indicators of weaning failure

• Blood gases- ↑ing PaCO2 ( >50 mmhg) ↓ing pH < 7.30 ↓ing PaO2 (<60 mmhg) ↓ing SpO2 (<90%) ↓ing PaO2/FiO2 (<150 mmhg)

• Vital signs- ↑ing HR ( by > 20/min. or > 110/min.) abnormal ECG changing BP ( 20 mmhg SBP or 10 mmhg DBP)

Indicators of weaning failure

• Respiratory parameters: ↓ing TV ( < 250 ml) ↑ing RR ( > 30/min) ↑ing f/TV ratio ( > 105 cycles/L) ↓ing MIP ( < -20 cm H2O) ↓ing static compliance ( < 30 ml/cm H2O) ↑ing VD/VT ( > 60%)

Pathophysiology of weaning failure

• NONRESPIRATORY PARAMETERS AFFECTING ABILITY TO WEAN

Nutritional status Fluid balance Metabolic and acid-base derangements Cardiac Function Renal function Neuropsychiatric factors

Nutritional status

Malnutrition has adverse effects on the respiratory system • ↓respiratory muscle strength and function • ↓diaphragmatic mass and contractility • ↓endurance

Nutritional status

Overnutrition may impede weaning • High CO2 Produced by excessive CHO loading • Other causes of increased CO2 production: fever, sepsis,

shivering, seizures, and inefficient ventilation due to dead space, PE

Metabolic abnormalities

• Hypophosphatemia • Hypocalcemia • Hypothyroidism

Sleep Deprivation and Psychological Issues

• Twilight awareness -> nap during the day -> shift day-night cycle – Give sedative-hypnotic at bedtime to restore normal daily cycle

• Depression in the long-term ICU patient:

– TCA at bedtime for sedative effect and to forestall depression. • Anxiety

– Adequate sedation: only to minimize detrimental WOB – Very slow changes in PS level: to prevent anxiety induced by

sudden changes to the response of the lung stretch receptors

Ventilator induced diaphragmatic dysfunction

• VIDD – loss of diaphragmatic force generating capacity related to use of mech. Ventilation can ocurr as early as 12 hrs. and reduction in max force production is of the order of 30 – 50 % after 1 – 3 days of CMV.

• Causes of VIDD – msl. atrophy, oxidative stress, structural injury, msl fiber remodelling.

• Management - * Minimise use of NM blockers, steroids * Optimize PO4, Mg, nutrition. * Cervical magnetic stimulation of phrenic nerve * Antioxidant supplementation.

Critical care illness neuromyopathy

• Causes – sepsis, malnutrition, paralysing agents, sedatives, narcotics, steroids.

• Affects all msls. Including diaphragm and intercostals. • B/L proximal msl weakness. • Diagnosis using Medical Research Council Score( < 48),

electrophysiological testing and msl biopsy if appropriate. • Transdiaphragmatic pressure in response to B/L phrenic nerve

stimulation. • Treatment options * Good nutrition

* Withdrawal of offending drugs * Inspiratory msl exercises

Prolonged mechanical ventilation

• Required in 3 to 7 % of ventilated pts. • Unless cause is irreversible ( high spinal cord injury) pt should

not be considered permanently ventilator dependent until 3 mths of weaning attempts have failed.

• Often transferred to regional weaning centers/long term care facilities.

• Goal is to restore pt to highest level of independent function possible.

Complications of PMV

• Infection – Bacterial Pneumonia – Line sepsis

• Volume Overload • Laryngeal Edema • Pneumothorax • Tracheal Bleeding • Ileus • DVT • Additional Complications if Tracheostomy is necessary

Extubation

• Discontinuation of invasive PPV involves 2 steps: * separation of pt. from vent. based on assessment of * removal of artificial airway. airway patency & protection

Parameters for airway patency

Cuff leak test

Qualitative Quantitative audible air leak< 110 ml air leak

Parameters for airway protection Effective cough

Secretion volume Mental status

Extubation failure

• Defined as need for reinstitution of vent. Support within 24 – 72 hrs. of ETT removal.

• Occurs in 2 – 25 % of pts. • Predisposing factors

* advanced age * duration of mech. Vent. * anemia * use of cont. IV sedation * semirecumbent positioning after extubation.

• Find & manage the cause.

Terminal weaning

• Defined as withdrawal of mechanical ventilation that results in death of the pt.

• 3 concerns must be evaluated and discussed * pt’s informed consent * medical futility * reduction of pain and suffering

• Carries many ethical and legal implications.

References

1. Egan’s – fundamentals of respiratory care 9th ed. 2. International Anaesthesiology Clinics – Update on respiratory

critical care , vol 37, no 3, 1999. 3. Anaesthesia newsletter ,Indore city ,June 2009, vol 10, no 2 4. David W Chang, Clinical application of mechanical ventilation 2nd

ed 5. Paul L Marino, The ICU Book, 3rd ed. 6. Weaning from mech. Ventilation, Eur. Respi. J 2007; 29: 1033 –

1056.

THANK YOU

Ventilator management algorithim

Initial intubation • FiO2 = 50% • PEEP = 5

• RR = 12 – 15 • VT = 8 – 10 ml/kg

SaO2 < 90% SaO2 > 90%

SaO2 > 90% • Adjust RR to maintain PaCO2 = 40 • Reduce FiO2 < 50% as tolerated • Reduce PEEP < 8 as tolerated • Assess criteria for SBT daily

SaO2 < 90% • Increase FiO2 (keep SaO2>90%) • Increase PEEP to max 20 • Identify possible acute lung injury • Identify respiratory failure causes

Acute lung injury

No injury

Fail SBT

Acute lung injury • Low TV (lung-protective) settings

• Reduce TV to 6 ml/kg • Increase RR up to 35 to keep

pH > 7.2, PaCO2 < 50 • Adjust PEEP to keep FiO2 < 60%

SaO2 < 90% SaO2 > 90%

SaO2 < 90% • Dx/Tx associated conditions

(PTX, hemothorax, hydrothorax) • Consider adjunct measures

(prone positioning, HFOV, IRV)

SaO2 > 90% • Continue lung-protective

ventilation until: • PaO2/FiO2 > 300 • Criteria met for SBT

Persistently fail SBT • Consider tracheostomy • Resume daily SBTs with CPAP or

tracheostomy collar

Pass SBT

Airway stable Extubate

Intubated > 2 wks

• Consider PSV wean (gradual

reduction of pressure support) • Consider gradual increases in SBT

duration until endurance improves

Prolonged ventilator dependence

Pass SBT

Pass SBT

Airway stable