Predicting Successful Weaning through Sonographic Measurement of the Rapid Shallow Breathing Index

Abstract

Background: Diaphragmatic dysfunction correlates with weaning failure, highlighting the need to independently assess the diaphragm’s effects on weaning. We modified the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), a predictor of successful weaning, by incorporating temporal variables into existing ultrasound-derived diaphragm index to create a simpler index closer to tidal volume. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of patients who underwent a spontaneous breathing trial in the medical intensive care unit (ICU) at Severance Hospital between October 2022 and June 2023. Diaphragmatic displacement (DD) and diaphragm inspiratory time (Ti) were measured using lung ultrasonography. The modified RSBI was defined as follows: respiratory rate (RR) divided by DD was defined as D-RSBI, and RR divided by the sum of the products of DD and Ti on both sides was defined as DTi-RSBI. Results: Among the sonographic indices, DTi-RSBI had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.774 in ROC analysis, and a correlation was found between increased DTi-RSBI and unsuccessful extubation in a multivariable logistic regression analysis (adjusted odds ratio 0.02, 95% confidence interval 0.00–0.97). Conclusions: The DTi-RSBI is beneficial in predicting successful weaning in medical ICU patients.