125 tolerating a trial of endotracheal cpap provides more information on the success of extubation in premature infants than measured minute volumes

Abstract

Background: Ventilated very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are, despite advances in ventilation techniques, at risk of developing chronic lung disease (CLD), sepsis and upper airway obstruction. Expeditious weaning and extubation is desirable but in VLBW infants, failure rates of 20 – 40% have been reported. Re-intubation may cause physiological instability. Having a cot side test that can reliably predict success of extubation may reduce associated morbidity. The aim was to determine whether measures of respiratory function downloaded from the ventilator when the infant was clinically judged to be ready for extubation, could predict successful extubation. Failure of extubation was defined ..