%0 Journal Article %A Giacomo Bellani %A Andrea Coppadoro %A Matteo Pozzi %A Alfio Bronco %A Daniela Albiero %A Nilde Eronia %A Valeria Meroni %A Giacomo Grasselli %A Antonio Pesenti %T The Ratio of Inspiratory Pressure Over Electrical Activity of the Diaphragm Remains Stable During ICU Stay and Is Not Related to Clinical Outcome %D 2016 %R 10.4187/respcare.04400 %J Respiratory Care %P 495-501 %V 61 %N 4 %X BACKGROUND: We previously described an index, defined as the ratio between the inspiratory muscle pressure (Pmus) and the electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) (Pmus/EAdi index). In the present work, we describe the trend of Pmus/EAdi index over time, investigating whether it could be an indicator of muscular efficiency associated with risk factors for diaphragmatic injury and/or clinical outcomes.METHODS: This work is a retrospective analysis of subjects with measurements of Pmus/EAdi index obtained, on different days, during assisted ventilation. Effects of Pmus/EAdi index absolute value on clinical outcomes were investigated dividing subjects into those with Pmus/EAdi index higher or lower than the median. Effects of Pmus/EAdi index trend over time were analyzed, distinguishing between subjects with Pmus/EAdi index increasing or decreasing.RESULTS: Mean Pmus/EAdi index was 1.04 ± 0.67, and the median (interquartile range) was 1.00 (0.59–1.34), without a systematic trend over the days. Demographic, ventilator, or outcome data did not significantly differ between subjects with Pmus/EAdi index higher or lower than the median. Similarly, we did not find relevant differences in subjects with Pmus/EAdi index increasing or decreasing over time.CONCLUSIONS: The Pmus/EAdi index value remained constant in each subject over time, although the inter-individual variability was high. Neither the Pmus/EAdi index nor its trends appeared to be associated with ventilatory variables or clinical outcome. %U https://rc.rcjournal.com/content/respcare/61/4/495.full.pdf