Comparison of Two Different Types of Mechanical Ventilation Weaning in Patients in the ICU

Mechanical ventilation is widely used for ICU patients as a lifesaving procedure. However, it is associated with several complications, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia and the increase of hospital morbidity and mortality. To avoid such complications, we need to wean these patients off the ventilator as soon as possible. This must however be done at the right time to avoid other complications, such as the need for re-intubation. For this reason, it is important to have a specific weaning protocol, which will reduce the time on mechanical ventilation, and avoiding the need for re-intubation and other complications. Recently, an argument has developed as to which weaning protocol would be more appropriated, and whether a computer driven weaning protocol could have better results than the conventional weaning protocols focusing on daily screening and daily interruption of sedation followed by a spontaneous breathing test. Our objective is to compare mechanical ventilation times, weaning success up to 48 hours after extubation, re-intubation rates between a group with computer driven weaning protocol (SmartCare) versus a weaning protocol with daily weaning screens and spontaneous breathing trials in ICU patients ventilated for more than 24 hours.