The predictive value of brain natriuretic peptide or N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide for weaning outcome in mechanical ventilation patients: Evidence from SROC.

Objective: Mechanical ventilation is an important treatment for critically ill patients. Physicians generally perform a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) to determine whether the patients can be weaned from mechanical ventilation, but almost 17% of the patients who pass the SBT still require respiratory support. Cardiac dysfunction is an important cause of weaning failure.