A retrospective cohort study of patients receiving PMV in LTAC facilities was performed. RSBI was measured daily, with weaning per protocol. Initial, mean, and final RSBI; RSBI ¡Ü 105; rate of change; and variability were assessed.
Twenty-five of 52 patients were weaned from PMV. Only the mean RSBI and the RSBI on the last day of weaning predicted success (78.7 ¡À 14.2 vs 99.3 ¡À 30.2, P = .007; 71.7 ¡À 31.2 vs 123.3 ¡À 92.5, P = .005, respectively). RSBI variability and rate of change were different between groups (coefficient of variation, .37 ¡À .12 vs .51 ¡À .30, P = .02, rate of change: ?3.40 ¡À 9.40 vs 4.40 ¡À 11.1 RSBI points/day, P = .005, weaned vs failed).
Although isolated RSBI measurements do not predict successful weaning from PMV, RSBI trends may have prognostic value.