Szymankiewicz et al identified preterm low birth weight infants intubated for respiratory distress syndrome who can be extubated. The authors are from the University of Medical Sciences in Poznan (Poland) and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Patient selection: preterm low birth weight neonate intubated for respiratory distress syndrome and meeting criteria for extubation
Parameters:
(1) tidal volume
(2) minute ventilation
(3) work of breathing
(4) dynamic compliance
(5) airway resistance
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
tidal volume |
<= 6 mL/min/kg |
0 |
|
> 6 mL/min/kg |
1 |
minute ventilation |
<= 309 mL/min/kg |
0 |
|
> 309 mL/min/kg |
1 |
work of breathing |
>= 0.172 J/L |
0 |
|
< 0.172 J/L |
1 |
dynamic compliance |
< 1 mL/cm H20 per kg |
0 |
|
>= 1 mL/cm H2O per kg |
1 |
airway resistance |
> 176 cm H20/L/sec |
0 |
|
<= 176 cm H20/L/sec |
1 |
number of factors predictive of successful extubation =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum number of predictors: 0
• maximum number of predictors: 5
• The chances of successful extubation increase with the number of predictors.
Specialty: Pulmonology, Pedatrics