Application of NT-proBNP in ventilator weaning for preterm infants with RDS

To evaluate the value of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels along with spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) in the prediction of ventilator weaning outcome among respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) preterm infants ready to wean.

NT-proBNP along with plasma albumin concentration, serum sodium, serum potassium, and hematocrit were measured immediately before SBT in preterm infants (≤32 weeks) mechanically ventilated due to RDS. Extubation was considered successful if infants remained extubated >48 hr. Either SBT failure or extubation failure was considered weaning failure.

Sixty-three of 88 infants passed the SBT and were subsequently extubated. Of these, two (3.2%) cases rapidly developed laryngeal dyspnea imposing reintubation (excluded from analysis). Of the remaining 61 infants, 45 (73.8%) cases had successful extubation, and 16 (26.2%) cases were reintubated. Infants who failed weaning had lower gestational age, birth weight, and plasma albumin concentrations, higher NT-proBNP, doses of surfactant, occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and occurrence of pulmonary arterial hypertension than those who did not. NT-proBNP was the only independent factor that could predict weaning failure (OR = 1.872; P = 0.044). The ROC-AUC for NT-proBNP to predict weaning failure was 0.977 (95% CI 0.918-0.997; P < 0.001). The cut-off of NT-proBNP level 18,500 pg/ml to predict weaning failure had a positive likelihood ratio of 25.180. The addition of NT-proBNP to SBT in prediction of weaning failure significantly improved the net reclassification improvement (NRI = 0.224; P = 0.034).

NT-proBNP is an independent factor that could predict weaning failure. Measurement of NT-proBNP prior to SBT may be helpful in promoting successful ventilator weaning along with SBT.