Usefulness of combined bedside lung ultrasound and echocardiography to assess weaning failure from mechanical ventilation

Usefulness of combined bedside lung ultrasound and echocardiography to assess weaning failure from mechanical ventilation: A suggestive case.  Critical care medicine, Aug 2013, Vol. 41(8) [online case report]

Mongodi, S., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2013/08000/Usefulness_of_Combined_Bedside_Lung_Ultrasound_and.50.aspx

Recognition of the cardiac origin of weaning failure is a crucial issue for successful discontinuation of mechanical ventilation. Bedside lung ultrasound and echocardiography have shown a potential in predicting weaning failure. Objective of this report was to describe the case of a patient repeatedly failing to wean from mechanical ventilation, where the combined use of lung ultrasound and echocardiography during a spontaneous breathing trial uncovered an unexpected cause of the failure.