No abstract

Objectives: Tracheostomy is a common procedure in intensive care unit to promote mechanical ventilation weaning. Despite tracheostomy is increasingly used there is no agreement of actual clinical practice of tracheostomy in different groups of patients in our environment. Objective of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile and outcomes of patients with tracheostomy at a clinicalsurgical intensive care unit and compare this profile with the current literature. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study through review of medical records and quality control database of "QuaTI" (Qualidade em Terapia Intensiva) of 87 patients with tracheostomy at Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte intensive care unit in 2007. We studied variables related to evolution aspects. Results: The clinical and epidemiological analysis of the 87 patients showed: mean age 58 ± 17 years, mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-APA-CHE II 18 ± 6, mean time of orotracheal