PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Richard D Branson TI - Modes to Facilitate Ventilator Weaning AID - 10.4187/respcare.02081 DP - 2012 Oct 01 TA - Respiratory Care PG - 1635--1648 VI - 57 IP - 10 4099 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/57/10/1635.short 4100 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/57/10/1635.full AB - Weaning comprises 40 percent of the duration of mechanical ventilation. Protocols to reduce weaning time and to identify candidates at the earliest possible moment have been introduced to reduce complications and costs. Increased demand for mechanical ventilation, an increase in the number of patients requiring prolonged ventilation, and resource/staffing issues have created an environment where automated weaning may play a role. A number of closed loop techniques have been introduced since the early 1990s, with increasing sophistication. Preliminary research has demonstrated mixed results. Current systems continue to be evaluated in different patient populations and environments. Automated weaning is part of the ICU armamentarium, and identification of the patient populations most likely to benefit needs to be further defined.