Effect of spontaneous breathing trial on extubation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under mechanical ventilation

Abstract Objective To evaluate how spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) affects successful extubation and prognosis in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients under mechanical ventilation. Methods AECOPD patients under invasive mechanical ventilation were recruited into the study and divided into the SBT and non-SBT groups. SBT patients received SBT for 60 min before extubation, while non-SBT patients that met weaning criteria were immediately extubated without SBT. Results A total of 64 patients were enrolled in analysis, including 32 in SBT group and 32 in non-SBT group. Patients in the two groups had similar baseline demographics and clinical characteristics (all parameters: p = > 0.05). Four (12.5%) patients in the SBT group and 5 (15.6%) in the non-SBT group were reintubated in 48 h of extubation (p = 0.821). During the 28-day follow-up after extubation, 3 patients died, 1 (3.1%) in the SBT group and 2 (6.3%) in the non-SBT group (p = 0.554). Conclusion Our findings indicate that SBT did not affect extubation success, in-hospital mortality, and 28-day survival in AECOPD patients under mechanical ventilation.