Prevalence, Determinants and Consequences of Dyspnea During Weaning in Critically Ill Obese Patients
ICU patients encounter numerous discomforts, with dyspnea (the sensation of breathlessness) being among the most distressing and impactful. Unlike pain, dyspnea in ICU settings has historically received limited attention, despite its severe psychological impact. ICU clinicians often use assessment tools like the simple numerical dyspnea scale (Dyspnea-VAS) and the Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (MV-RDOS) to measure dyspnea. These scales are also utilized during the weaning process, an essential phase when patients attempt to breathe independently without ventilator assistance. Weaning is crucial for ICU patients, as delayed or unsuccessful extubation increases the risk of complications and mortality. Obese ICU patients, often admitted due to respiratory failure, present unique challenges due to physiological changes in the respiratory system, such as reduced functional residual capacity and decreased lung compliance. These factors contribute to an increased likelihood of dyspnea and weaning complications. Approximately 50% of obese ICU patients require mechanical ventilation, and once ventilated, obese patients exhibit an elevated risk for dyspnea and ventilator weaning failure. Understanding the prevalence, causes, and consequences of dyspnea and failure in weaning process in obese ICU patients is critical. In this study, the aim is to compare obese patients with non-obese patients in terms of dyspnea prevalence, causes and consequences as weaning failure prevalence, causes and consequences.
• Patients placed on mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours
• On spontaneous ventilation mode with inspiratory support (only possible ventilation mode during ventilation weaning) allowing a tidal volume \> 6 mL/kg and a positive end-expiratory pressure set by the attending physician between 5 and 8 cmH2O
• Decision by the attending physician to perform a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) after verifying the prerequisites for weaning: resolution of the acute phase of the illness for which the patient is placed on invasive mechanical ventilation, low bronchial congestion, adequate cough, adequate oxygenation defined by SpO2 \> 90% with FiO2 ≤ 40% and PEEP ≤ 8 cmH2O, respiratory rate ≤ 40 breaths/min, Ramsay sedation score \< 4, and stable cardiovascular state (heart rate ≤ 120 beats/min, systolic blood pressure ≤ 180 mmHg, and no or minimal vasopressors \[norepinephrine \< 5 μg/kg/min\])
• After information,no opposition from the patient or the relative (if the patient is unable to express his non opposition) to participating in the research
• Person affiliated with a social security regime or eligible
• Patient with a BMI \> 30 kg/m² for those included in the case group (obesity)