Review
Clinical review: The ABC of weaning failure - a structured approach
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* Corresponding author: Leo M Heunks L.Heunks@ic.umcn.nl
Department of Intensive Care Medicine (632), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Postbox 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Critical Care 2010, 14:245 doi:10.1186/cc9296
Published: 8 December 2010Abstract
About 20% to 30% of patients are difficult to wean from invasive mechanical ventilation. The pathophysiology of difficult weaning is complex. Accordingly, determining the reason for difficult weaning and subsequently developing a treatment strategy require a dedicated clinician with in-depth knowledge of the pathophysiology of weaning failure. This review presents a structural framework ('ABCDE') for the assessment and treatment of difficult-to-wean patients. Earlier recognition of the underlying causes may expedite weaning from mechanical ventilation.