Timing and predictors of tracheostomy decannulation in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS: A real-world study

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomy is a commonly performed procedure in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), including COVID-19-related ARDS. However, limited data exist on the timing and predictors of decannulation. AIM: To compare time to decannulation between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS patients and to identify predictive factors. METHODS: A retrospective study including 96 COVID-19 ARDS and 32 non-COVID-19 ARDS tracheostomized patients admitted to step-down units after ICU stay from March 2020 to May 2021. Clinical, demographic data and comorbidities were analysed as well as predictors for decannulation delay. RESULTS: Timing of decannulation was similar between the two groups. Multivariate analysis identified limb weakness assessed by the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, duration of steroids therapy, clinical complications, PaO2/FiO2 ratio and smoking history as independent predictors of decannulation timing. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 did not affect timing of decannulation compared to non-COVID-19 ARDS. ICU-acquired weakness, assessed through the MRC scale, was the strongest predictor of delayed decannulation.