Ventilator Weaning Strategies

Weaning of mechanical ventilation is a critical aspect of care for patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The process of weaning involves the gradual reduction in intensity of ventilatory support sufficient to allow the patient to resume spontaneous breathing. This transition is crucial because prolonged mechanical ventilation can lead to complications that affect survival and the quality of survival. Spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) and screening for readiness to wean are central to this process, but the optimal strategies for these interventions remain uncertain, with significant variations in practice globally.