Predicting the optimal time for extubation is challenging, especially in patients with underlying diaphragm dysfunction. Incorporating ultrasound information on diaphragm function into usual care allowed clinicians to identify patients with a normally functioning diaphragm and decreased the time from ultrasound to extubation.

We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled study at three Brown University teaching hospitals.

Included subjects underwent block randomization to either usual care (Control) or usual care enhanced with ultrasound measurements of the diaphragm (Intervention).

The primary outcome was the time to extubation after ultrasound, and the secondary outcome was the total days on the ventilator.

A total of 32 subjects were studied; 15 were randomized into the Control group and 17 into the Intervention group.

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