Respiratory failure & ventilation
Clinical utility of diaphragmatic ultrasound for mechanical ventilator liberation in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Pooled result · 3 studies, 268 participantsResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.62 95% CI 0.41–0.95Authors' conclusion
Using diaphragmatic ultrasound in addition to standard clinical criteria to guide decisions around ventilator use and liberation resulted in a reduced risk of reintubation within 48 h of extubation when compared to standard clinical criteria alone.
Study context
- Population
- Adults on mechanical ventilation via tracheal intubation in ICU following respiratory failure or surgery
- Participants
- 508 adults · 5 RCTs
- Comparison
- Diaphragmatic ultrasound vs standard care to guide ventilator liberation
- Outcome
- Reintubation within 48 h of extubation
- Follow-up
- 48 h
Methodological detailsGRADE certainty of evidence
- GRADE certainty of evidence
Pooled result
3 studies, 268 participants
Relative risk
0.62
95% CI 0.41–0.95
Diaphragmatic ultrasound vs Standard care
RR 0.62 (95% CI 0.41–0.95)
As reported in the abstract
Further pooled results
| Outcome | MD (days) (95% CI) |
|---|---|
| ICU LOSOne study, 130 participants · low certainty of evidence · significantly reduced in the diaphragmatic ultrasound group | - 1.0 (- 1.74 to - 0.26) |
Duration of mechanical ventilation
- No significant difference in duration of mechanical ventilation (MD, 95% CI)
- MD - 1.39 h, 95% CI - 17.5 to 14.71 h
- Three studies, 268 participants
- Very low certainty of evidence
Reintubation after 48 h
- No significant difference in reintubation after 48 h (RR, 95% CI)
- RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.11-1.29
- Two studies, 240 participants
- Moderate certainty of evidence
Original publication
Clinical utility of diaphragmatic ultrasound for mechanical ventilator liberation in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Intensive Care. Published 24 July 2025. doi:10.
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