Ventilator weaning by lung expansion and decannulation

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Jul;83(7):560-8. doi: 10.1097/01.phm.0000130027.80861.b8.

Abstract

This case series of ventilator-dependent patients with neuromuscular disease who had no ventilator-free breathing ability demonstrates that decannulation and switching to continuous noninvasive intermittent positive-pressure ventilation combined with regular lung expansion therapy can result in improvements in pulmonary function and at least partial ventilator weaning. These six patients were also managed using mechanical insufflation-exsufflation for regular lung expansion and cough assistance. Thus, some ventilator users with neuromuscular disease can benefit from tracheostomy tube decannulation and transition to noninvasive intermittent positive-pressure ventilation and assisted coughing for ventilator weaning to predominantly nocturnal-only use.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Device Removal
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insufflation*
  • Intermittent Positive-Pressure Ventilation*
  • Intubation, Intratracheal*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / therapy*
  • Ventilator Weaning / methods*