Predictors of survival after prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation

Weaning from mechanical ventilation is a key component of intensive care treatment; however, this process may be prolonged as some patients require care at specialised centres. Current data indicate that weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation is successful in approximately 65% of patients; however, data on long-term survival after discharge from a weaning centre are limited.

We analysed predictors of survival among 597 patients (392 men, mean age 68 ± 11) post-discharge from a specialised German weaning centre.

Complete weaning from mechanical ventilation was achieved in 407 (57.8%) patients, and 106 patients (15.1%) were discharged with non-invasive ventilation; thus, prolonged weaning was successful in 72.9% of the patients. The one-year and five-year survival rates post-discharge were 66.5% and 37.1%, respectively. Age, duration of mechanical ventilation, certain clusters of comorbidities, and discharged with mechanical ventilation significantly influenced survival (p < .001). Completely weaned patients who were discharged with a tracheostomy had a significantly reduced survival rate than did those who were completely weaned and discharged with a closed tracheostomy (p = .004).

The identified predictors of survival after prolonged weaning could support therapeutic strategies during patients' intensive care unit stay. Patients should be closely monitored after discharge from a weaning centre.