Analysis of Rapid Shallow Breathing Index as a Predictor for Successful Extubation from Mechanical Ventilation

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method of extubation from mechanical ventilation best validated in the literature is one of a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). A few randomized control trials comparing 30 versus 120 minute SBT's found no difference in outcomes but the numbers of patients evaluated were small. In our ICU, we use a 90-minute CPAP trial to assess the patient's likelihood of being extubated. Along with clinical parameters we use a rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) as a quantifiable, objective measure of a patient's tolerance of the SBT. Our objective is to evaluate whether RSBI changes significantly (20 point increase from baseline and crosses 100) from the beginning to the end of a 90-minute SBT.