Lung and Heart USG for Predicting Weaning in Neurosurgical Patients

Ultrasonography is a commonly used diagnostic and procedural adjunctive modality in intensive care. Weaning of neurosurgical patients off ventilatory support is a critical procedure, fraught with risks of hypoxia and hypercapnia. Weaning involves sequential reduction of ventilatory support and regular assessments for extubation followed by spontaneous breathing trials. In this study, we evaluate parameters of ultrasonographic evaluation of lung aeration and cardiac function in neurosurgical patients undergoing weaning and their ability to predict successful weaning and extubation.