Role Of Lung Ultrasound During Weaning In Patient With Mitral Regurgitation Post Angioplasty.

BACKGROUND

We hypothesize that a change in lung ultrasound score (LUS) can assist in the early diagnosis of weaning-induced respiratory failure (RF). The objective of this study was to determine the utility of LUS in weaning patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) from mechanical ventilation (MV).

METHODS

This prospective observational study included patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who required invasive MV after angiography/angioplasty. Echocardiography was performed and MR was recorded. When the patient was considered ready for extubation, a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) was performed and pre- and post-SBT LUS was calculated. Patients who successfully passed the SBT were extubated and followed up for 48 hours for the signs of RF and outcomes.

RESULTS

We enrolled 215 patients, out of which MR occurred in 51(23.7%) patients. On post-SBT lung ultrasound, patients with MR were more likely to have B2 lines compared to those without MR; 15.7% vs. 3.7%; p=0.002 and mean LUS was significantly higher for patients with MR as compared to patients without MR; 2.75±3.21 vs. 1.37± 2.02; p<0.001. Post-extubation RF and mean CCU stay were significantly higher in MR patients, 49.0% (25) vs. 32.3% (53); p=0.030 and 3.53±1.54 days vs. 2.41±1.1 days; p<0.001 respectively. However, re-intubation and coronary care unit (CCU) mortality rate were not significantly different between patients with and without MR; 7.8% (4/51) vs. 3.7% (6/164); p=0.215, and 5.9% (3/51) vs. 3% (5/164); p=0.35 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Bedside LU is a convenient tool to detect changes in cardiopulmonary interactions during weaning for patients with MR post-ACS.