RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Intra-individual Variation of the Cuff-Leak Test as a Predictor of Post-Extubation Stridor JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP 2026 OP 2031 DO 10.4187/respcare.01527 VO 57 IS 12 A1 Antoine Gros A1 Laurent Holzapfel A1 Sophie Marqué A1 Laurent Perard A1 Guy Demingeon A1 Bonavie Piralla A1 Sandrine Gaillard A1 Xavier Tchenio YR 2012 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/57/12/2026.abstract AB BACKGROUND: This was an evaluation of intra-individual variation of the cuff-leak test (ΔCLT) immediately post-intubation and pre-extubation, as a predictor of post-extubation stridor. METHODS: Prospective, clinical investigation in the ICU of a non-university hospital. CLTs were performed immediately after intubation (T0) and before extubation (T1) to evaluate the differences in cuff leak (ΔCLT = CLT1 − CLT0). RESULTS: We included 104 mechanically ventilated subjects in the study over a 12-month period. The incidence of post-extubation stridor was 6.7%. Stridor was more common in females of short stature. ΔCLT was considered as significant when CLT1 − CLT0 was negative. The sensitivity and the specificity of the test were 86% and 48%, respectively. When we tested the pre-extubation CLT alone with a threshold of 130 mL as a predictor of post-extubation stridor, the sensitivity and the specificity of the test were 86% and 76%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The intra-individual variation of CLT immediately post-intubation and pre-extubation does not improve the accuracy of a standard pre-extubation CLT to predict post-extubation stridor. Moreover, the standard pre-extubation CLT did not appear in our study to be an ideal test to detect post-extubation stridor. Larger studies should be performed before generalizing these preliminary results.