ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo compare the outcomes of 3 modes of weaning,e.g.SmartCare (a computerdriven knowledge-based system),spontaneous breathing trials (SBBT) and empirical methods,used in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) weaned off mechanical ventilation.MethodsSixty-eight COPD patients were enrolled and randomly (random number) assigned to receive SmartCare (SC group,n =24),SBT (SBT group,n=24) or empirical methods (EM group,n =20).The following data were recorded including beginning of weaning:time consumed for weaning,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of ICU stay,success rate of weaning,survival rate during hospitalization and the complications of mechanical ventilation.The patients were considered as successfully weaned when they were able to tolerate at least 48 consecutive hours of spontaneous breathing.ResultsTime required for weaning and total time for mechanical ventilation in SC group were greatly shorter than those in EM group (P =0.002,0.002),but there were no differences between SC group and SBT group (P =0.540,0.573).Though the length of ICU stay (7.5 d) in SBT group was notably shorter than that in EM group (82.5 d) (P=0.015),there was no difference between SBT group and SC group (8.0 d).Weaning success rate was greater in the SC group (88.3％) than that in EM group (50.0％),but there was no difference between SBT group (66.7％ ) and SC group.No significant differences in survival rate during hospitalization,rate of re-intubation,self-extubation and need for noninvasive ventilation were found among three groups.ConclusionsCompared to empirical methods for weaning,SmartCare could greatly increase the success rate of weaning,but it was not superior to SBT.