Noninvasive detection of respiratory failure in the intensive care unit.

We investigated the utility of a noninvasive respiratory inductive plethysmograph (RIP) to continuously monitor and record the breathing pattern of 44 patients who had been mechanically ventilated. Seven patients deteriorated on intermittent mandatory ventilatory rate of zero; seven deteriorated within 48 h following extubation; 30 were successfully extubated. Respiratory alternans was documented by RIP in 11 patients who failed whereas it was absent in all other patients. Respiratory rates in the 14 failure patients increased when compared with rates one hour before clinical deterioration and with rates of 30 patients who were successfully extubated. Total compartmental displacement/tidal volume increased in every patient who developed respiratory failure. Changes in the breathing pattern, specifically onset of rib cage-abdominal asynchrony, can be diagnosed noninvasively, thus alerting the clinical staff prior to onset of overt respiratory failure and arrest.