Development of a risk score to predict extubation failure in patients with traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE: To identify predictors and develop a risk score for the prediction of extubation failure in TBI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 311 TBI adults receiving mechanical ventilation for >48h in the intensive care unit. Epidemiological, ventilatory, airway protective, laboratory, and hemodynamic predictors were evaluated. A multiple logistic regression model was developed to predict the extubation failure risk. A score was developed using the arithmetic sum of the points for each independent predictor, whose scores were proportional to the regression coefficient. The accuracy of the model was determined using the C statistic. RESULTS: Extubation failure occurred in 43 patients (13.8%). Five independent predictors were identified: female sex (4 points) Glasgow Coma Scale motor score≤5 (4 points), moderate-to-large secretion volume (4 points), absent or weak cough (3 points), and mechanical ventilation≥10days (2 points). We calculated the risk score for patients and three risk categories were defined: low (0-3 points), moderate (4-7 points), high (8-17 points). The extubation failure rates in the three groups were 3.5%, 21.2%, and 42.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The score developed to predict extubation failure in TBI patients can identify three risk categories and can be easily applied in the ICU.

Association between the rapid shallow breathing index and extubation success in patients with traumatic brain injury.

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.