Are blood gases necessary in mechanically ventilated patients who have successfully completed a spontaneous breathing trial?

Respir Care. 2004 Nov;49(11):1316-9.

Abstract

Background: The utility of routinely obtaining arterial blood gas analyses (ABGs) prior to extubation in patients who have successfully completed a spontaneous breathing trial is not known.

Objective: Review our practices and determine our extubation success rate with a policy of selective ABG utilization.

Methods: Retrospective chart review.

Results: We reviewed 54 extubations of 52 patients. Sixty-five percent of the extubations were performed without obtaining an ABG after the spontaneous breathing trial. The extubation success rate was 94% for the entire group and was the same regardless of whether an ABG measurement was obtained (94.7% vs 94.3%, respectively).

Conclusion: ABG measurement does not appear to be a prerequisite to extubation following a clinically successful spontaneous breathing trial.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Gas Analysis*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Critical Care
  • Device Removal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intubation, Intratracheal
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / blood*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ventilator Weaning*