Prognosis of mechanically ventilated patients entering the weaning process

Methods This is a subsequent analysis of the original prospective observational study run in 36 intensive care units in France, Spain and Switzerland over a three month period. All patients requiring intubation and MV were enrolled. MV modality, results of spontaneous breathing trials (SBT) and extubation, therapeutic limitation as well as survival were daily collected until ICU discharge or day 60. A weaning attempt (WA) was defined either by a spontaneous breathing trial or a direct extubation (planned or unplanned). Weaning success was defined as discharged alive without mechanical ventilation within the 7 days following extubation. The prognosis of patients at the key steps of the weaning process was analysed as mortality at ICU discharge or D60.