Multicomponent pulmonary rehabilitation significantly increased successful ventilator weaning rates in patients aged 80 years or older receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Physiological parameters including oxygen saturation off ventilation, diaphragm muscle function, cough strength, and overall muscle strength improved substantially with the intervention.
Incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) was reduced at 60 and 90 days in patients receiving the rehabilitation program.
No increase in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or mortality was observed, indicating safety of the multicomponent rehabilitation approach in this frail population.
