Table 2.

Patients considered to be at risk of extubation failure and who could benefit from noninvasive ventilation immediately after extubation (prophylactic use)

Hypercapnia

Congestive heart failure

Ineffective cough or secretions retained in the airways

More than one failure in the spontaneous respiration test

More than one comorbidity

Upper airway obstruction

Age >65 years old

Increase of severity of illness, as indicated by APACHE >12 on the day of extubation

Duration of mechanical ventilation >72 hours

Patients with neuromuscular diseases

Obese patients