[Value of transtracheal oxygen insufflation in the weaning period after long-term ventilation].

BACKGROUND

In many cases, respiratory muscle failure is the reason for unsuccessful weaning attempts after long-term ventilation. Therapeutic measures must therefore be aimed at unloading the respiratory pump. In this present study we examined whether, in particular, the transtracheal O2-insufflation (TTO2) results in a change of breathing patterns and unloads the respiratory muscles.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We examined 6 patients (5 males, age 65.6 +/- 3.9 years, diagnosis: chronic obstructive lung disease), who received long-term mechanical ventilation in outward intensive care units. Baseline resting data (arterial blood gas analysis, the breathing frequency and the minute volume) were obtained with the patients breathing room air for 1 hour. After receiving TTO2 with a flow of 21/min for another 1-hour-period the measurements were repeated.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

In our study we could show that the TTO2 leads to an impressive decrease in inspiratory work of breathing-relative to the minute ventilation by about 28%. Therefore TTO2 is of great importance in the weaning phase subsequent to prolonged mechanical ventilation due to the respiratory muscle failure.