A53 CRITICAL CARE: PROBLEMS RELATED TO INTUBATION, WEANING, AND EXTUBATION: Diaphragm Ultrasound As A Predictor Of Liberation From Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Rationale: An estimated 13 percent of all patients with respiratory failure will fail to be liberated from mechanical ventilation during their acute hospitalization. Ultrasound evaluation of diaphragm excursion (Dexcursion) as well as diaphragm thickness and diaphragm thickening fraction (Atdi%) was performed using 7-10 Mhz and 12 MHz ultrasound transducers.