The difficult task of searching for tools that help predict mechanical ventilator weaning success

1. Serviço de Pneumologia e Terapia Intensiva, Hospital Universitário, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora (MG) Brasil. Mechanical ventilation (MV) is one of the most common supportive measures employed in ICU and is fundamental in maintaining life under certain conditions.(1) However, MV can be associated with serious complications, such as pneumonia, tracheobronchitis, critical illness neuropathy and myopathy, delirium, barotrauma, and MV-induced lung injury, making its interruption desirable once the patient is able to breathe spontaneously in a safe manner and without need of a tracheal cannula.(2) This process of disconnecting the patient from the ventilator is designated weaning.