The value of baseline capnographic parameters on extubation success among mechanically ventilated patients

Physiological dead space is a valuable parameter which indicates the ventilated but not perfused lung areas. The normal range is between 30- 50 % in mechanically ventilated patients. Increased levels could be observed in many of the pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary embolism, ARDS and COPD. Vd/Vt is also used for the prediction of extubation success and < 55- 60 % values indicates successful extubation according to several studies.The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of baseline capnographic measurements on extubation success.12 female 23 male a total of 35 patients with a mean age of 67 (years) were included in this prospective study. Extubation failure rate was 28.5 %. When the two groups compared, Vd/Vt value was found to be higher among patients with extubation failure compared to extubation success. The sensitivity, specifity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of baseline Vd/Vt ? 0.60 for predicting extubation failure according to ROC curve were 70 %, 72 %, 58 %, 81 % and 71 %, respectively.In conclusion, results of this study suggest that, higher Vd/Vt values measured at the time of intubation may be a valuable predictor of extubation failure. Further studies performed in larger patient populations are needed to confirm these findings.