Weaning From Mechanical Ventilation in Neurological Patients

After a period of mechanical ventilation, a spontaneous breathing trial is performed before extubation in order to assess the patient's ability to breathe. In neurological patients a spontaneous breathing trial can not predict the success of extubation. The extubation failure is associated with a longer intensive care unit stay and hospital stay, as well as more infections and higher mortality. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the use of a protocol-directed weaning in neurological patients reduces the rate of extubation failure and associated complications.