Handgrip strength cutoff value predicting successful extubation in mechanically ventilated patients

BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength (HGS) is an alternative tool to evaluate respiratory muscle function. HGS cutoff value indicating extubation success or failure has not been investigated. This study aimed to determine HGS cutoff value to predict successful extubation. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. Patients requiring intubated mechanical ventilation with intubation ≥ 48 hours in medical wards were recruited. HGS test was performed at 10 minutes before and 30 minutes after spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). Rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) was measured at 10 minutes before SBT. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients (58% men) were included. Mean age was 71.6 ± 15.2 years. Weaning failure rate was 6.5%. The area under the ROC curve of 0.84 for the best HGS cutoff value at 10 minutes before SBT was 12.7 kg, with 75.9% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity (P = 0.005). The best HSG cutoff value at 30 minutes after SBT was 14.9 kg, with the area under the ROC curve of 0.82, with 58.6% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity (P = 0.009). The best RSBI cutoff value was 43.5 breaths/min/L, with the area under the ROC curve of 0.46, 33.3% sensitivity and 66.6% specificity (P = 0.737). CONCLUSIONS: HGS may be a predictive tool to guide extubation with better sensitivity and specificity than RSBI. A prospective study is needed to verify HGS test as adjunctive to RSBI in ventilator weaning protocol.