Parasternal Intercostal Muscle Thickening as an Additive Weaning Criterion

Increased days of MV are not without hazards, including barotraumas and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Similarly, premature separation of MV is associated with increased mortality secondary to adverse cardiorespiratory events. Therefore, the time of weaning should be wisely evaluated. There is growing evidence concerning respiratory muscles dysfunction that contributes to difficulty or prolonged liberation from MV.