WEANING FROM MECHANICAL VENTILATION

For the ventilator-dependent patient, weaning should be accomplished b y withdrawing support safely, efficaciously, and efficiently. Success depends largely on physiologic determinants of respiratory system func tion, avoidance of ventilator-associated complications, and attention to patient readiness. Recent clinical trials, predictors of weaning, c urrent techniques of weaning, the concept of reloading the respiratory pump, and determinants of ventilator dependency are all discussed.