Diaphragm ultrasound as a predictor of successful extubation from mechanical ventilation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if ultrasound derived measures of diaphragm thickening, rather than diaphragm motion, can be used to predict extubation success or failure.Sixty-three mechanically ventilated patients were prospectively recruited. Diaphragm thickness (tdi) was measured in the zone of apposition of the diaphragm to the rib cage using a 7-10 MHz ultrasound transducer. The percent change in tdi between end-expiration and...