ABSTRACT
Weaning from mechanical ventilation describes the process of progressively reducing mechanical ventilatory support until the patient is entirely capable of performing the work of breathing (WOB) on his/her own. Severely injured and critically ill patients are increasingly dependent upon mechanical ventilation for their survival, and their subsequent weaning from ventilatory support has become increasingly complex. These conditions have evolved from our improved resuscitation capabilities, the increasing complexity of surgical corrective procedures, and the increased baseline comorbidities associated with our aging population (1-7).
