Ventilator induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction assessed by Ultrasonography and its impact on Weaning outcome
Authors: Fawzy H M A , Hassan M H M , Alkholy A A M 
Published: May 2020

Background

Ventilator induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD), as a loss of diaphragmatic force generating capacity due to the use of mechanical ventilation. Difficulties in discontinuing ventilatory support are encountered in 20–25% of mechanically ventilated patients, with a staggering 40% of time spent in the intensive care unit being devoted to weaning. M-mode ultrasonography is now an accepted qualitative method of assessing diaphragmatic motion in normal and pathological conditions. In this study, we evaluated whether diaphragmatic excursion (DE) as measured by M-mode sonography can be a predictor of weaning and diagnosis of VIDD.

Aim

The aim of this study is to determine the presence of ventilator induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD) diagnosed by M-mode ultrasonography and its impact on weaning outcome.

Methodology

This study was conducted prospectively in critical care unit in Ain Shams Hospital, a university-affiliated, tertiary referral center in Cairo, Egypt. Study subjects included 78 patients between August 2017 to August 2018. who required mechanical ventilation ≥72hrs. who fulfilled the spontaneous breath trial (SBT) criteria, at the start of a 1-hr SBT, each hemidiaphragm was evaluated M-mode sonography with the patient in the supine position. Rapid shallow Breathing index (RSBI) was simultaneously calculated at the bedside. Ultrasonographic Diaphragmatic Dysfunction (DD) was diagnosed if an Diaphragmatic Excursion (DE) was &lt;10 mm or negative, the latter indicating paradoxical diaphragmatic movement.

Results

Diaphragmatic Dysfunction (DD) among the eligible 78 patients was 48% (n = 37). DD group had longer weaning time [39,2 (26-56) hrs. vs. 22.3 (30-16) hrs. p = 0.001) in DD vs. NDD group respectively and total ventilation time [140 (130-150) hrs. vs. 130 (120–140) hrs. p &gt; 0.05) in DD vs. NDD group respectively. Weaning failure was (45.8% vs. 30.8%, p=0.01) in DD vs. NDD group respectively. In NDD group Rt. DE, mean 25.4 ±4.1 mm. While Lt. side was 25.3±4.6 mm, 11.25mm and 22mm (45-15) respectively. In DD group Rt. DE, mean 7.6 ±2.02mm, IQR 2.4 mm and median 8.2mm (10-1.9). While Lt. side was 9.2±0.8mm, 4.3mm and 8.9mm (9.8-5.7) respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) of ultrasonographic criteria in predicting weaning failure was near similar to that of rapid shallow breathing index. Hypercapenic acidosis in NDD group might protect them from VIDD

Conclusions

DD is present in a significant percentage 48% (nearly half) of our medical ICU patients on MV ≥ 72 hrs which largely account for weaning failure. DD was associated with a significant longer weaning time, and ICU stay, with no significant difference in 30 day mortality

Recommendations

DE by US measurements is a valuable tool and is recommended as an adjunctive weaning index to aid prediction of weaning outcome. Evaluating the role of spontaneous ventilation modes and advanced ventilation modes as PAV and NAVA effects on decreas ing VIDD versus controlled modes.