At least 5% of all intensive care unit patients require prolonged respiratory support. Multiple factors have been suggested as possible predictors of successful respiratory weaning so far. We sought to verify whether the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) can predict freedom from prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) in patients treated in a regional weaning centre. The study group comprised 130 consecutive patients (age; median (interquartile range): 71 (62–77) years), hospitalized between 1 January 2012, and 31 December 2013. APACHE II score was assessed based on the worst values taken during the first 24 hours after admission. Glasgow coma scale was excluded from calculations due to the likely influence of sedative agents. The outcome was defined as freedom from mechanical ventilation, with or without tracheostomy on discharge. Among survivors (n = 115), 88.2% were successfully liberated from mechanical ventilation and 60.9% from tracheostomy. APACHE II failed to predict freedom from mechanical ventilation (area under the receiver–operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.534; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.439–0.628; p = 0.65) and tracheostomy tube removal (AUROC = 0.527; 95% CI: 0.431–0.621; p = 0.63). Weaning outcome was unrelated to the aetiology of respiratory failure on admission (p = 0.41). APACHE II cannot predict weaning outcome in patients requiring PMV.

Background: Little is known about the diagnostic accuracy of the APACHE II scoring system in prolonged mechanical ventilation. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of APACHE II in order to predict in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS) and discharge destination of patients in a weaning centre. Methods: The study group included 130 consecutive patients (median age 71 years; IQR 62−77). APACHE II was assessed based on the worst values taken during the first 24 hours post admission. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. LOS and discharge destination were considered secondary outcomes. Results: The APACHE II median score was 11 points (IQR 9−14) while 15 patients (11.5%) died. Mortality was lower in men (10.3%) than in women (14%) (P = 0.04). APACHE II was higher in non-survivors (15; IQR 10.25−19.5) compared to survivors (11; 8.25−14) (P < 0.001). In a bivariate analysis, APACHE II predicted mortality with good diagnostic accuracy (AUROC = 0.714; P = 0.007). In a multivariate analysis APACHE II (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.06−1.40 per 1 point) and mode of ventilation (OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.08−0.99; CPAP vs. BIPAP) only predicted mortality. The median length of stay (LOS) was 28 days (IQR 20−39). There was weak correlation between APACHE II and LOS (R = 0.23; P = 0.01). Most patients were transferred to a rehabilitation center (53.9%) or a geriatric ward (13.9%). APACHE II did not differ between patients discharged to different healthcare facilities (P = 0.14). Conclusion:The APACHE II score is a powerful tool for predicting mortality of patients undergoing weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Background: Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a growing and challenging issue in modern intensive care medicine. We aimed to describe a 7-year experience in weaning from mechanical ventilation of a single centre in Germany. Methods: We retrospectively analysed data regarding 403 patients admitted between 2007 and 2013 with difficult or prolonged mechanical ventilation weaning. Results: There were 261 men (64.8%) in the population. The median age was 72 (IQR 63; 77) years. The underlying reasons for ventilator dependence comprised: post-operative respiratory failure (56.3%), exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (14.4%) and pneumonia (7.4%). A tracheostomy was performed about 9 (IQR 7; 14) days after the last attempt of a spontaneous breathing trial, usually with the percutaneous method (89.3%). The median length of stay was 28 (IQR 20; 41) days. Sixty-five (16.1%) patients died. Among the survivors, complete ventilator independence was achieved in 316 (78.4%) subjects while 94 (29.7%) of subjects required a tracheal tube on discharge. The vast majority of patients were discharged to rehabilitation clinics (56.1%). All of the analysed parameters did not statistically significantly differ between consecutive years in the investigated period. Conclusion: Our initial experience with weaning from mechanical ventilation are encouraging, repeatable in subsequent years of observation and consistent with the literature data. Assessing the predictors of successful mechanical ventilation weaning requires further research.

IntroductionData regarding the functional status of patients after prolonged mechanical ventilation are scarce, and little is known about its clinical predictors.AimTo investigate whether the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score on admission may predict performance in activities of daily living on discharge from a weaning center.Material and methodsAll consecutive patients admitted between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 were enrolled (n = 130). During this period, 15 subjects died, and 115 were successfully discharged (34 women; 81 men). APACHE II was calculated based on the worst values taken during the first 24 hours after admission. On discharge, the Barthel Index (BI) and its extended version, the Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index (ERBI), were assessed.ResultsMedian BI was 20 points (IQR 5; 40), and ERBI was 20 points (–50; 40). There was no correlation between APACHE II and either BI (R = –0.07; p = 0.47) or ERBI (R = –0.07; p = 0.44). APACHE II predicted the need for assistance with bathing (AUROC = 0.833; p < 0.001), grooming (AUROC = 0.823; p < 0.001), toilet use (AUROC = 0.887; p < 0.001), and urination (AUROC = 0.658; p = 0.04). APACHE II had no impact on any ERBI items associated with ventilator weaning, including the need of further mechanical ventilation (AUROC = 0.534; p = 0.65) or tracheostomy (AUROC = 0.544; p = 0.42).ConclusionsAlthough APACHE II cannot predict the overall functional status in patients discharged from a weaning center, it helps identify subjects who will need support with bathing, grooming, and toilet use. The APACHE II score is inadequate to predict performance in activities associated with further respiratory support.