Background & Aims : Because for the known complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation, weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) is very important. We aimed to determine the outcome of two conventional weaning types and comparison of those in patients receiving MV.

  Materials & Methods : During an 8 month period we enrolled all patients admitted to intensive care departments who received MV under intensive care fellowships supervision in educational hospitals. The total number of patients requiring MV was 250. Finally only 40 patients were assigned to be studied and compared in two groups.

  Results : The duration of weaning process in group I (S.I.M.V to T-piece ) was longer than gro u pe II (S.I.M.V to spontaneous breathing and then to T- piece), [2.8 1.281 days] versus [1 0.0 00 days] P value: 0. 000 < 0.05. The duration of MV in group II (12.30 9.308 days) was longer than group I (9.7 ± 10. 183 days) which was in contrast with the previous studies.

  Conclusion : Patients should receive the beneficial effects of MV until getting to wellbeing status and then be disconnected from MV. Regardless of some editor’s opinion about the ineffectiveness of weaning protocols on the outcomes, it is suggested to prepare a suitable pattern of weaning for all educational treatment centers in Iran.  

  Source: Urmia Med J 2011: 22(4): 386 ISSN: 1027-3727