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The pulmonary physician in critical care. 10: difficult weaning
1Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University College London Hospitals, The Middlesex Hospital, London, UK. j.goldstone@ucl.ac.uk
Thorax
|October 31, 2002
Abstract:
The study of patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation has offered new insights into the physiology of respiratory failure. Assessment of the balance between respiratory muscle strength, work and central drive is essential if difficulty in weaning occurs, and optimisation of these elements may improve the success of weaning. Psychological support of patients and the creation of units specialising in weaning have also resulted in a higher success rate.