Association between the rapid shallow breathing index and extubation success in patients with traumatic brain injury - Critical Care Science (CCS)

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the association between the rapid shallow breathing index and successful extubation in patients with traumatic brain injury.

METHODS:

This study was a prospective study conducted in patients with traumatic brain injury of both genders who underwent mechanical ventilation for at least two days and who passed a spontaneous breathing trial. The minute volume and respiratory rate were measured using a ventilometer, and the data were used to calculate the rapid shallow breathing index (respiratory rate/tidal volume). The dependent variable was the extubation outcome: reintubation after up to 48 hours (extubation failure) or not (extubation success). The independent variable was the rapid shallow breathing index measured after a successful spontaneous breathing trial.

RESULTS:

The sample comprised 119 individuals, including 111 (93.3%) males. The average age of the sample was 35.0±12.9 years old. The average duration of mechanical ventilation was 8.1±3.6 days. A total of 104 (87.4%) participants achieved successful extubation. No association was found between the rapid shallow breathing index and extubation success.

CONCLUSION:

The rapid shallow breathing index was not associated with successful extubation in patients with traumatic brain injury.