Ventilation and Weaning

Weaning

Weaning is gradual reduction of ventilation. Weaning is gradual process of decreasing ventilator support. Weaning protocol used for spontaneous breathing trials or a gradual reduction in ventilator support and avoid complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation and the identification of patients who are not able to breathe spontaneously

Weaning protocol used to describe process of gradually removing the patient from Ventilator and restoring spontaneous breathing after a period of mechanical ventilation.

Criteria for Weaning Trial

Weaning is gradually started after evaluating the patient's clinical condition, pulmonary and cardiovascular status.

1. Clinical criteria

Cardiovascular and hemodynamic stability.

Resolution of phase of diseases.

2. Ventilation criteria

Spontaneous breathing trial; tolerates 20-30 minutes.

PaCo2; <50mmHg with normal PH

Vital capacity; >10 ml/kg

Spontaneous Vt (tidal volume); >5ml/kg

Spontaneous f (respiratory frequency); <35/minutes 

3. Oxygenation criteria

PaO2; >60 mmHg

Weaning can be done using;

1. Spontaneous breathing trials

2. Pressure support Ventilation

3. SIMV