Impact of peripheral muscle strength on extubation success after cardiac surgery

To evaluate the effects of peripheral muscle strength on extubation success after cardiac surgery.

In this prospective cohort study, peripheral muscle strength and Rapid Shallow Breathing Index were assessed at 30 and 10 minutes during a spontaneous breathing trial. Patients were extubated and monitored for 48 hours to verify the success or failure of extubation, and preoperative variables were compared.

A total of 66 patients were evaluated, 55 (83%) of whom were classified as successful and 11 (17%) as weaning failures. The Medical Research Council score 30 minutes before the spontaneous breathing trial demonstrated a cut-off value of 44, with a sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 84%, area under the curve of 0.864, and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.69-1.00. The Medical Research Council score 10 minutes before the spontaneous breathing trial showed a cut-off value of 49, with a sensitivity of 55%, specificity of 80%, area under the curve of 0.845, and 95%CI= 0.77-1.00. The Rapid Shallow Breathing Index assessed 10 minutes before the spontaneous breathing trial had a cut-off value of 45, with a sensitivity of 30%, specificity of 70%, area under the curve of 0.476, and 95%CI= 0.22-0.71.

Peripheral muscle strength may be a useful predictor of extubation success in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.