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BACKGROUND: Our objective was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of tracheal lesions observed in flexile bronchoscopies of tracheostomized patients, and to determine those factors associated with severe injuries. METHODS: This is an analytical, observational, and transversal study. The flexible bronchoscopies of tracheostomized patients from our database were reviewed to assess their lesions. The tracheal lesions were classified according to their severity; lesions obstructing above 50% of the lumen were interpreted as severe and those obstructing <50% as mild. The lesions were also classified according to location as glottic, subglottic, at the level of the tracheal ostomy, tracheal, and bronchial. The types of lesions found were granuloma, stenosis, and excessive central airway collapse. Possible predictors of severe lesions were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 414 patients were included in the study, the mean age being 65 years (±16.2 y). Of all the bronchoscopies assessed, 202 (49%) showed mild lesions, and 91 (22%) were severe. We found granulomas in 230 patients (55%), and 32 (26%) were severe. Of the 27 patients with stenosis (7%), 17 (63%) were severe. Excessive central airway collapse was seen in 120 patients (31.8%), and 65 (54%) were severe. There were statistically significant differences related to age in the group that developed severe lesions (mean age, 73 y; Q1 to Q3, 58 to 81) compared with the group free of lesions (mean age, 69 y; Q1 to Q3, 55.7 to 75; P = 0.001) and also in the duration requiring an artificial airway (mean, 84.5 d; Q1 to Q3, 49 to 135.5) compared with the group free of lesions (mean of 59.5 d; Q1 to Q3, 42 to 98; P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of tracheal lesions, mainly subglottic granulomas. Age and the duration for which the patient required an artificial airway were related to the presence of severe lesions.
Assuntos
Granuloma/epidemiologia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/epidemiologia , Estenose Traqueal/epidemiologia , Traqueostomia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Argentina/epidemiologia , Broncoscopia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Doenças da Traqueia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the work of breathing (WOB) during spontaneous breathing under four conditions: (1) breathing through a tracheostomy tube with an inflated cuff, (2) breathing through the upper airway (UA) with a deflated cuff and occluded tube, (3) breathing through the UA with an occluded cuffless tube, and (4) postdecannulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who tolerated an occluded cuffless tube were included. Ventilatory variables and esophageal pressure were recorded. The pressure-time product (PTP), PTP/min, and PTP/min/tidal volume (PTP/min/VT) were measured. Each condition was measured for 5 min with a 15 min time interval between evaluations. Quantitative data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Single-factor analysis of variance was used, and the Games-Howell test was used for post hoc analysis of comparisons between group means (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Eight patients were studied under each of the four conditions described above. Statistically significant differences were found for PTP, PTP/min, and PTP/min/VT. In the post hoc analysis for PTP, significant differences among all conditions were found. For PTP/min, there was no significant difference between Conditions 2 and 4 (P = 0.138), and for PTP/min/VT, there was no significant difference between Conditions 1 and 2 (P = 0.072) or between Conditions 2 and 3 (P = 0.106). A trend toward a higher PTP, PTP/min, and PTP/min/VT was observed when breathing through a cuffless tracheostomy tube. CONCLUSION: The four conditions differed with respect to WOB. Cuff inflation could result in a reduced WOB because there is less dead space. Cuffless tracheostomy tubes generate increased WOB, perhaps due to the material deformity caused by body temperature.
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Introducción: la discontinuación de la ventilación mecánica invasiva en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos es un objetivo fundamental y primario, en pos de evitar las complicaciones asociadas a ella. El uso de ventilación no invasiva en este contexto resulta de utilidad en tres escenarios específicos: a) como prevención de fallo de extubación, b) como cambio de interface, c) en fallo instalado. No existe evidencia suficiente sobre el tiempo de uso habitual de la VNI en esta subpoblación, las variables que se utilizan para elegirla, las causas de fallo de la VNI y la mortalidad asociada en estos pacientes. Objetivos: describir epidemiológicamente a los pacientes adultos con uso de VNI posextubación y su evolución hasta el alta hospitalaria. Describir la indicación de VNI, el tiempo de uso, las tasas de reintubación y mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Materiales y métodos: cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes internados en la UCI de adultos del Hospital Italiano de San Justo que utilizaron VNI posextubación. A partir de la historia clínica electrónica se registraron variables epidemiológicas previas al ingreso en la UCI y datos evolutivos durante la internación. El período analizado abarca desde el 17 de diciembre de 2016 hasta el 01 de agosto de 2018. Resultados: se incluyeron 48 pacientes en el presente estudio. La mediana de edad fue de 76 años (RIQ 62,75-83,25). El 58,33% eran hombres. El índice de comorbilidad de Charlson tuvo un valor de mediana de 5 (RIQ 3-6). Del total de pacientes reclutados, 33 utilizaron VNI como prevención de fallo de extubación (68,75%), 13 como cambio de interface (27,08%) y solo 2 como fallo instalado (4,16%). La mediana de días de uso de VNI fue 1 (RIQ 0-5) en prevención de fallo, 1 (RIQ 1-2) en cambio de interface y en fallo instalado 13,5 días (RIQ 8,75-18,25). Ocho pacientes fueron reintubados (16,66%). La mortalidad fue del 9,1% en el grupo de prevención de fallo y 7,7% en el grupo de cambio de interface, respectivamente. En cuanto al grupo que la usó a partir del fallo instalado, la tasa de mortalidad fue del 50% (total de dos pacientes). Conclusiones: la VNI como método de discontinuación de la VMI se utiliza principalmente tanto para la prevención de fallo como para cambio de interfaz. El tiempo de uso de VNI posextubación es, en general, limitado. Se necesitan futuros trabajos que identifiquen las horas requeridas de uso de VNI posextubación. (AU)
Introduction: the discontinuation of invasive mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit is a fundamental and primary objective, both of which aim to avoid the complications associated with it. The use of non-invasive ventilation in this context may follow three specific scenarios: a) as prevention of extubation failure, b) as interface change, c) in overt failure. There is not enough evidence on the time of use of NIV in this subpopulation, the variables used to guide its use, the causes of NIV failure and the associated mortality in these patients. Objectives: to describe the use of NIV after extubation in adult critically ill patients. Further, we aim to describe the time of NIV use, the mortality and reintubation rate of each subgroup. Materials and methods: retrospective cohort study including adult patients admitted to the ICU at Hospital Italiano de San Justo, who received NIV post-extubation. Using the electronic health database, epidemiological variables were recorded prior to admission to the ICU and follow-up data during the hospitalization. The period analyzed was from December 17, 2016 to August 1, 2018. Results: 48 patients were included in the present analysis. Median age was 76 years (RIQ 62.75-83.25) and 58.33% were men. The Charlson comorbidity index had a median value of 5 (RIQ 3-6). Of the total number of patients recruited, 33 used NIV as prevention of extubation failure (68.75%), 13 as interface change (27.08%). ) and only 2 as overt extubation failure (4.16%).The median number of days of NIV use was 1 (RIQ 0-5) in failure prevention and 1 (RIQ 1-2) in the change of interface group. 8 patients were reintubated (16.66%). 9.1% and 7.7% of patients died in the groups that used NIV as prevention of extubation failure and change of interface respectively. Conclusions: NIV is frequently used in adult patients following extubation in our centre. Further studies are warranted to depict the necessary time of use to better allocate resources within the intensive care unit. (AU)
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Extubação/estatística & dados numéricos , Ventilação não Invasiva/estatística & dados numéricos , Alta do Paciente , Argentina/epidemiologia , Estudos de Coortes , Mortalidade , Extubação/instrumentação , Extubação/mortalidade , Ventilação não Invasiva/instrumentação , Ventilação não Invasiva/mortalidade , Ventilação não Invasiva/tendências , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva/estatística & dados numéricos , Intubação Intratraqueal/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
El colapso dinámico excesivo de la vía aérea (CDEVA) se caracteriza por una invaginación exagerada de la pared posterior de la tráquea que compromete la luz de la vía aérea, especialmente durante la espiración. La obstrucción es dinámica, por tanto, pueden presentarse hiperinsuflación y atrapamiento de aire, dificultando la ventilación1, 2. En condiciones normales la luz de la vía aérea puede disminuir hasta el 35% con la tos o las maniobras de espiración forzada, pero una disminución mayor al 50% es considerada anormal. El CDEVA es una entidad clínica subdiagnosticada, por lo que algunos pacientes son asintomáticos y otros presentan síntomas crónicos como tos, disnea, infecciones recurrentes y aumento de las secreciones. Usualmente se confunde con otras enfermedades comunes, como enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) o asma, con las que puede coexistir agravándolas4, 5. Es más frecuente en individuos de mediana edad y ancianos con exposición previa al cigarrillo6, 7. Si bien es benigna, puede causar morbilidad progresiva y, ocasionalmente, falla respiratoria y muerte. La discusión de esta entidad surge a partir de la presentación de un caso clínico cuya detección precoz durante la agudización del paciente, permitió optimizar el manejo ventilatorio y la desvinculación de la ventilación mecánica
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Respiração Artificial , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica , Manuseio das Vias AéreasRESUMO
En la actualidad la debilidad adquirida en la unidad de cuidados intensivos conforma una entidad que abarca, en esta población de pacientes, tanto a la miopatía como a la polineuropatía. Esta entidad es la principal causa de debilidad en los pacientes críticos y se encuentra asociada al aumento de la morbimortalidad. No existe un tratamiento electivo para este cuadro clínico. Más bien están disponibles medidas preventivas como la estimulación eléctrica neuromuscular, la cual se basa en la aplicación terapéutica de estimulación eléctrica al sistema nervioso periférico y al músculo simulando potenciales de acción que conllevan a la contracción muscular. El objetivo de esta revisión es recopilar y organizar información relacionada a la aplicación de estimulación eléctrica neuromuscular en pacientes con debilidad adquirida en la unidad de cuidados intensivos para prevenir y/o tratar la debilidad muscular.
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Polineuropatias , Terapia por Estimulação Elétrica , Doenças Musculares , Debilidade MuscularRESUMO
Introducción: la traqueostomía es una práctica frecuente dentro de las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI). El proceso de decanulación y el tiempo utilizado en ella resultan de interés clínico, mientras que los factores asociados al proceso y la dificultad en dicho proceso han sido poco estudiados. Objetivos: describir características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la población en estudio y su evolución desde el momento del ingreso en la UCI hasta el alta hospitalaria. Informar la incidencia de fallo de decanulación y analizar los factores de riesgo independientes asociados a la imposibilidad de esta. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional de cohorte retrospectivo de pacientes internados en la UCI del Hospital Italiano de San Justo Agustín Rocca que requirieron traqueostomía durante su estadía. Utilizando la historia clínica informatizada se registraron variables epidemiológicas previas al ingreso en la UCI y datos evolutivos durante la internación. El período analizado fue desde el 5 de enero de 2016 hasta el 17 de diciembre de 2017. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión logística para la evaluación de potenciales predictores. Resultados: se reclutaron 50 pacientes, y todos fueron incluidos en el presente análisis. La edad promedio fue de 66 años (desvío estándar [DE] ± 15,5) y el 66% fueron hombres. El 42% fue decanulado durante el seguimiento. La incidencia en el fallo de decanulación fue del 4,77% (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95% 0,85-22,67). La mediana de tiempo hasta la decanulación desde la desvinculación de la asistencia ventilatoria fue de 17 días. En el análisis univariado hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en tipo de diagnóstico de ingreso en UCI y en el alta vivo hospitalaria al comparar pacientes decanulados versus no decanulados. En el análisis multivariado de regresión logística se halló el tipo de diagnóstico de ingreso en UCI como predictor independiente de imposibilidad de decanulación. Conclusiones: el motivo de ingreso clínico en UCI fue un factor predictor independiente asociado al fracaso de la decanulación y esto, posiblemente, está relacionado con la condición clínica y el estado general al ingreso, en comparación con los pacientes que ingresaron por causas quirúrgicas. No se hallaron comorbilidades ni antecedentes que se relacionen con el fracaso de la decanulación. (AU)
Introduction: the tracheostomy remains a very common surgical procedure done in the intensive care unit (ICU). The process of decannulation is of scientific interest with its associated factors not being sufficiently studied. Objectives: to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the population and their relationship to effective decanulation. To report the cumulative incidence of decannulation failure and success. To analyze independent risk factors associated with decannulation failure. Materials and methods: the present was a retrospective cohort of adult patients in the ICU at Hospital Italiano de San Justo who required tracheostomy during their in-hospital stay. Epidemiological variables were recorded before ICU admission and during their hospital stay using data from the electronic medical record. The inclusion period was 2 years long. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression models to compare the proportion of patients who could be decannulated versus those who could not. Results: 50 patients were enrolled in the present study. Their mean age was 66 (±15.5) years and 66% of patients were male. 21 patients (42%) achieved to be decannulated. The cumulative incidence of decannulation failure was 4.77% (95% CI: 0.85-22.87). Median time from weaning to decannulation was 17 days. In univariate analysis, statistically significant differences were found in ICU admission diagnosis (p<0.001) and hospital discharge alive (p<0.001) when comparing decannulated versus not decannulated patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, ICU admission diagnosis was found to be an independent predictor of decannulation failure (p<0.01). Conclusions: clinical ICU admission diagnosis was an independent predictor associated with decannulation failure. This could be related to differences in baseline morbidity and clinical condition of these patients compared with surgical patients. However, no individual morbidities or clinical conditions were found to be associated in decannulation failure. (AU)
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Traqueostomia/métodos , Estado Terminal/epidemiologia , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva/estatística & dados numéricos , Traqueostomia/efeitos adversos , Traqueostomia/instrumentação , Traqueostomia/mortalidade , Traqueostomia/reabilitação , Traqueostomia/estatística & dados numéricos , Fatores de Risco , Estudos de Coortes , Estado Terminal/reabilitação , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva/organização & administração , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva/tendênciasRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Most of the studies referring cuff tubes' issues were conducted on intubated patients. Not much is known about the cuff pressure performance in chronically tracheostomized patients disconnected from mechanical ventilation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cuff pressure (CP) variation in tracheostomized, spontaneously breathing patients in a weaning rehabilitation center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental setup to test instruments in vitro, in which the gauge (TRACOE) performance at different pressure levels was evaluated in six tracheostomy tubes, and a clinical setupin which CP variation over 24 h, every 4 h, and for 6 days was measured in 35 chronically tracheostomized clinically stable, patients who had been disconnected from mechanical ventilation for at least 72 h. The following data were recorded: Tube brand, type, and size; date of the tube placed; the patient's body position; the position of the head; axillary temperature; pulse and respiration rates; blood pressure; and pulse oximetry. RESULTS: In vitro difference between the initial pressure (IP) and measured pressure (MP) was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference between the IP and MP was significant when selecting for various tube brands (P < 0.05). In the clinical set-up, 207 measurements were performed and the CP was >30 cm H2O in 6.28% of the recordings, 20-30 cm H2O in 42.0% of the recordings, and <20 cm H2O in 51.69% of the recordings. CONCLUSION: The systematic CP measurement in chronically tracheostomized, spontaneously breathing patients showed high variability, which was independent of tube brand, size, type, or time of placement. Consequently, measurements should be made more frequently.
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Objetivos: Describir la incidencia de infecciones respiratorias (IR) en pacientes traqueostomizados (TQT) internados en un centro de desvinculación de la ventilación mecánica y rehabilitación (CDVMR). Identificar factores de riesgo (FR) para el desarrollo de IR. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles anidado en una cohorte. La variable utilizada para el apareamiento fue la edad. Se incluyeron a todos los pacientes TQT internados durante el período de marzo del 2013 a febrero del 2015. Se registró la incidencia de IR. Resultado: Se incluyeron 167 pacientes, registrándose 73 eventos de IR en 46 pacientes. La incidencia acumulada fue de 27,5% y la tasa de incidencia fue de 2,22 eventos/1000 días de estadía. De los 73 eventos registrados, se obtuvieron rescates bacteriológicos en 50 de ellos, siendo Pseudomonas aeruginosa (34,3%) el microorganismo más prevalente. Los valores más bajos de albúmina resultaron ser un FR para el desarrollo de IR (p 0.001, OR 5.82, IC 2.08-16.2). Los valores más altos de hemoglobina de ingreso se comportaron como factor protector (p 0.048, OR 0.74, IC 0.55-0.99). Se establecieron como FR para el evento IR: ingresar con diagnóstico de ACV (p 0.025, OR 3.45 1.16-10.2), Parkinson (p 0.011, OR 18.9, IC 1.93-185) o ELA (p 0.013, OR 6.34, IC 1.47-27.2). Conclusión: Se logró determinar por primera vez en nuestro medio la incidencia de IR en pacientes TQT y los patógenos más comunes, aunque esto necesita contraste con otros CDVMR. La asociación encontrada entre los valores de albúmina y el posterior desarrollo de IR podría estar relacionada más a un sesgo probabilístico que a una diferencia clínica significativa. Los pacientes con determinadas enfermedades neurológicas presentan mayor riesgo de IR.
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Pneumonia , Infecções Respiratórias , TraqueostomiaRESUMO
Objectives: To describe the incidence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in tracheostomized patients hospitalized in a weaning and rehabilitation center (WRC) and to identify risk factors (RFs) for the development of RTI. Materials and methods: A nested case-control study was conducted. Age was used as the matching variable. All tracheostomized patients who were hospitalized from March, 2013, to February, 2015, were included. The incidence of RTI was recorded. Results: A total of 167 patients were included, with 73 RTI episodes being recorded in 46 patients (27.5%). Cumulative incidence was 27.5%, and incidence rate was 2.22 episodes per 1,000 days of stay. Bacteria were recovered in 50 of the 73 episodes recorded, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most prevalent organism (34.3%). The lowest albumin values proved to be a RF for the development of RTI (p 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 5.82, confidence interval [CI] 2.08-16.2). The highest hemoglobin values on admission acted as protective factors (p 0.048, OR 0.74, CI 0.55-0.99). Diagnoses of stroke (p 0.025, OR 3.45, CI 1.16-10.2), Parkinson (p 0.011, OR 18.9, CI 1.93-185) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (p 0.013, OR 6.34, IC 1.47-27.2) on admission were established as risk factors for the development of RTI. Conclusion: For the first time in our setting, it was possible to determine the incidence of RTI in tracheostomized patients and the most common pathogens, although comparison with other WRCs is needed. The association found between albumin values and the subsequent development of RTI might be more related to an incidental finding than to a significant clinical difference. Patients with certain neurologic diseases are at increased risk for RTI.
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Pneumonia , Infecções Respiratórias , TraqueostomiaRESUMO
Introducción: Los pacientes con EPOC experimentan episodios de falla respiratoria que requieren de asistencia ventilatoria mecánica (AVM). Debido al compromiso pulmonar, muscular y nutricional, experimentan dificultad en el destete. Hay escasa información de los factores que puedan predecir el fracaso del destete en pacientes con EPOC en VM prolongada (VMP). El objetivo de este trabajo es encontrar factores de riesgo para el fracaso del destete en pacientes con EPOC y evaluar mortalidad según éxito o fracaso en el destete. Materiales y Métodos: El estudio se realizó en un centro de weaning (CW) y se incluyeron pacientes internados en una unidad de terapia intensiva (UTI) por reagudización de su EPOC derivados a nuestro CW traqueostomizados con requerimiento de AVM. Resultados: Se recolectaron los datos de 40 pacientes, de los cuales 21 finalizaron AVM de manera exitosa y 19 fracasaron. El análisis univariado arrojó 4 variables asociadas al fracaso del destete: Pimax (p = 0.035), días de AVM en el CW (p = 0.005), pH (p = 0.039) y la PaCO2 (p = 0.002). Sin embargo, solo la PaCO2 a las 12hs de la prueba de respiración espontánea (PRE) fue predictor de fracaso de destete (p = 0.007). No se encontraron predictores de mortalidad. Conclusión: Encontrar factores de riesgo que permitan identificar el fracaso en la desvinculación de la VM puede contribuir en la decisión de insistir con el destete, o bien, plantear un programa de internación domiciliaria con la finalidad de mejorar la calidad de vida. La única variable asociada al fracaso de destete fue la PaCO2 a las 12hs de comenzada la PRE.
Introduction: Patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an airflow limitation and require mechanical ventilation (MV). Because of deteriorated lung function, respiratory muscles weakness and malnutrition, patients also present difficulties in the weaning process. Information on the factors that can predict weaning failure in patients with COPD after prolonged MV is scarce. To identify risk factors for weaning failure in patients with COPD and evaluate the mortality depending on weaning success or failure. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out at a weaning center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We evaluated patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and referred to the weaning center as a result of COPD exacerbation, after tracheostomy and in need of mechanical ventilation. Results: Data from 40 patients were collected; 21 were successfully weaned from MV and 19 failed the weaning process. Univariate analysis showed 4 variables associated with weaning failure: maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) (p = 0.035), length of MV at weaning center (p = 0.005), pH (p = 0.039) and PaCO2 (p = 0.002). However, only PaCO2 twelve hours after the spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) was a predictor of weaning failure (p=0.007). Mortality predictors were not found. Conclusion: The only predictive variable associated with weaning failure was PaCO2 twelve hours after SBT. Finding risk factors for failure in discontinuing MV may provide information to decide whether to insist in the weaning process or choose home MV to improve life quality.
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Respiração Artificial , Traqueostomia , Fatores de Risco , Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva CrônicaRESUMO
Objetivo: Encontrar predictores de decanulación en pacientes traqueostomizados y desvinculados de la asistencia ventilatoria mecánica. Analizar la mortalidad en el centro de weaning y supervivencia al alta. Materiales y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo. Se revisaron historias clínicas de pacientes que ingresaron al centro de weaning entre enero de 2004 y junio de 2011. Se estudiaron diferentes variables como posibles predictores de decanulación. Se analizó la mortalidad y se realizó seguimiento al alta. Resultados: Se incluyeron 181 pacientes con una media de 62 años. Se logró decanular al 44.2% de los pacientes (mediana 20 días). El análisis univariado encontró 6 variables asociadas al fracaso de decanulación: sexo masculino, antecedentes respiratorios, antecedentes cardiovasculares, albúmina al ingreso al centro de weaning, días de internación en centro de weaning y días de internación en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos + centro de weaning. La regresión logística encontró como predictores independientes: sexo masculino y antecedentes respiratorios. En el análisis de regresión logística la decanulación fue un factor protectivo con respecto a la mortalidad. El 80% de los pacientes decanulados y el 15,8% de los no decanulados obtuvieron alta médica. La mediana de supervivencia de los decanulados fue de 45.47 meses y los no decanulados de 10.87. Conclusiones: Los pacientes de sexo masculino y aquellos con antecedentes respiratorios se asocian con fracaso de decanulación. Los pacientes decanulados tienen menor riesgo de muerte durante la internación.
Objective: Find predictors of decannulation in tracheostomized patients and without mechanical ventilation. A secondary objective was the analysis of mortality in the weaning center and survival at discharge. Material and methods: We reviewed, retrospectively, the medical records of patients admitted to the weaning center with tracheostomy and without mechanical ventilation between January 2004 and June 2011. Different variables as possible predictors of decannulation were studied. Mortality at weaning center and outcomes during follow up after discharge were analyzed. Results: We included 181 patients with an average age of 62 years old. Decannulation was carried out in 44.2% of the patients. The decannulation process took 20 days. The univariate analysis found six variables associated with decannulation failure: male gender, respiratory or cardiovascular history, albumin at admission to the weaning center, days of hospitalization in the weaning center and admission to intensive care units plus the weaning center. Logistic regression analysis found that male sex and respiratory history were independent predictors. Regarding mortality during hospitalization, logistic regression analysis found that decannulation was a protective factor. Another finding was that 80% of patients decannulated were discharged; only 15.8% of the group was not decannulated. The average survival was 45.47 months among the decannulated patients and 10.87 months for the non decannulated patients. Conclusions: We found that male sex and a history of respiratory failure were factors associated with unsuccessful decannulation. Decannulated patients had lower risk of death during hospitalization.