Comparison Between Electrical Cardiometry and Ultrasound Chest in Assesment of Lung Water in Mechanical Ventilated Patients

Abstract Background: Premature weaning from mechanical ventilation may lead to extubation failure, however, it is advised to wean patients from it earlier to prevent the problems of extended continuous ventilation. Aim of the study: This study aimed to compare electrical cardiometry and lung ultrasound in assessing lung water as predictors of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with preserved ejection fraction heart failure (HFpEF) by measuring thoracic fluid content (TFC) by cardiometry and B lines by ultrasound. Patients & Methods: This research comprised 70 mechanically ventilated studied cases diagnosed with HFpEF, deemed suitable for weaning, and admitted to the Critical Care Medicine Department at Alexandria Main University Hospital between February 2023 & February 2024. All enrolled patients underwent electrical cardiometry for measuring (TFC) and lung ultrasound to measure B lines. Weaning failure was characterized by the necessary for reintubation within forty eight hours post-extubation. Patients were segregated into two categories: those who successfully weaned and those who experienced weaning failure. Both groups were then compared based on the study's outcomes. Results: In this study, 52 (74.28%) patients underwent successful weaning, while 18 (25.71) patients underwent failed weaning. B lines were significantly higher in failed weaning group (18.14 ± 2.35) vs (7.48 ± 2.1) in successful weaning group. They can significantly predict weaning failure (AUC=0.878, P value12) showed 72,2% sensitivity, 96,2% specificity. TFC (kΩ−1) was significantly higher in failed weaning group (61.47 ± 5.16) vs (42.50 ± 10.47) in successful weaning group. TFC was a significant predictor of failed weaning from mechanical ventilation (AUC=0.950, P value52.8 kΩ−1) gave 94% sensitivity, 86% specificity. For B lines, it Conclusion: Both TFC and B-lines are safe, sensitive, noninvasive tool in the assessment of lung water in mechanically ventilated patients and are good predictors of failed weaning from mechanical ventilation.