Difficult Weaning from Long Term Mechanical Ventilation - A case report

Kim, Jin Soo; Kim, Jong Rea; Nam, Yong Taek; Shin, Jeung Soo

Abstract

Inability to tolerate discontinuation of mechanical ventilation or the need for reintubation has been reported .s much as 20% in mechanically ventilated patients. Many factors may be responsible for the .nsuccessful weaning outcome such as hypoventilation secondary to decreased respiratory c,nter output, respiratory muscle fatigue, impaired pulmonary gas exchange and excessive ventilatory requirements. We experienced a patient who was very difficult to wean from long term mechanical ventilation. The patient was 36 years old male with Guillain Barre syndrome. After 7 days admission, tracheostomy was taken and mechanical ventilation continued to 332 days. There was not any chance of pneumonia during the 11 months ventilation. His respiratory parameter improved to TV of 350 ml and VC of 1300 ml and he was able to breath himself without mechanical ventilator during day time. But he could not sleep without ventilator for fear of dying during sleep. We made him sleep with diazepam injection and carefully observed the patient with pulse oximetry and Sara capnography. We tried this method many times and the patient got the confidence that he cauld alive during sleep without mechanical ventilator. We could wean from long term mechanical ventilation during sleep by carefully observing patients respiratory pattern. Therefore we report here this successful weaning from long term ventilator in anxious and nervous patient.