Incidence and Impact of ICU-acquired Diaphragm Weakness

ICU survivors are at an increased risk of hospital and ICU readmission. Among the complications of ICU stay, diaphragmatic dysfunction is common, with a prevalence of 60 to 80%, and is associated with increased mortality and prolonged hospital stays. Furthermore, several studies have reported that the observation of impaired respiratory muscle function upon ICU discharge is associated with a poor long-term prognosis. However, the incidence and prognostic impact of persistent diaphragmatic dysfunction at ICU discharge have never been evaluated. The measurement of dyspnea, a composite evaluation of respiratory muscle function, has not been assessed for predicting prognosis upon ICU discharge.

The hypothesis of the project is that the presence of ICU-acquired diaphragmatic dysfunction at ICU discharge is associated with a poorer prognosis within 90 days.