Challenges in weaning from mechanical ventilation: Analysis of failure factors in spontaneous breathing trials and extubation in the Intensive Care Unit

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51049

Keywords:

Ventilator weaning, Mechanical ventilation, Airway extubation.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the main factors associated with failure to perform the Spontaneous Breathing Trial and extubation in patients admitted to an intensive care unit. It was an observational, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, conducted in a hospital in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sample consisted of four patients over 18 years of age who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours. This was a retrospective, observational study with a quantitative approach, with secondary data collected through medical record analysis. A guiding instrument, developed by the researcher, was used, encompassing information on clinical characteristics, ventilatory parameters, and the outcomes of the Spontaneous Breathing Trial and extubation. The results demonstrated that the factors associated with failure in the Spontaneous Breathing Trial and the extubation process are multifactorial in nature, involving respiratory, hemodynamic, and general clinical aspects. Additionally, a high success rate was observed in the Spontaneous Breathing Trial and a predominance of extubation failure, highlighting a possible dissociation between performance on the test and the final outcome of ventilator weaning. It is concluded that the factors associated with failure in the Spontaneous Breathing Trial and extubation are multifactorial and that success in the Spontaneous Breathing Trial does not, in isolation, guarantee the success of the ventilator weaning process.

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Published

2026-05-05

Issue

Section

Health Sciences

How to Cite

Challenges in weaning from mechanical ventilation: Analysis of failure factors in spontaneous breathing trials and extubation in the Intensive Care Unit. Research, Society and Development, [S. l.], v. 15, n. 5, p. e2015551049, 2026. DOI: 10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51049. Disponível em: https://rsdjournal.org/rsd/article/view/51049. Acesso em: 7 jun. 2026.