The Frequency of Screening and SBT Technique Trial: The FAST Trial

Goals

1. To identify the best strategy to wean patients from ventilators.

2. To fully engage patients and family members (PFM) in our trial.

Rationale: Nearly 40% of the time on invasive ventilation is spent weaning. In minimizing patients' exposure to invasive ventilation, clinicians are challenged by a trade-off between the complications associated with protracted ventilation and the risks [ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), mortality] of premature, failed attempts at extubation. Although randomized trials have been conducted to evaluate different screening practices and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) techniques, most trials were small, predated daily screening, and have limited generalizability to the North American (NA) context where weaning involves respiratory therapists (RTs) and physicians.

In a systematic review of 17 trials (n=2,434), we found that screening protocols, compared to usual care, were associated with a 26% reduction in total duration of ventilation, a 70% reduction in weaning time, and an 11% reduction in ICU stay. Only 1 trial (n=385) compared twice daily screening to usual care and found that patients screened twice daily spent significantly less time on ventilators. Once daily screening is poorly aligned with the continuous care ICU environment. In our international survey, Pressure Support (PS) with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and T-piece were the most commonly used SBT techniques. Concerns exist that PS and T-piece SBTs may over and underestimate, respectively, patients' ability to breathe after extubation. Only 1 trial (n=484) has compared T-piece and PS SBTs and found no difference in outcomes. This trial was conducted in Europe, predated daily screening, and was underpowered.

Design: The investigators will conduct a factorial design trial involving 760 patients in 20 NA ICUs.

Population: The investigators will enroll critically ill adults receiving invasive ventilation for > 24 hours who can initiate or trigger breaths on commonly used weaning modes.

Comparators: Patients will be randomized to undergo a screening frequency (once vs. at least twice daily) AND an SBT technique (T-piece vs. PS ± PEEP).

Outcomes: The primary outcome will be the time to successful extubation. Secondary outcomes will include general and ventilation-specific outcomes that are important to citizens. We expect that more frequent screening, regardless of SBT technique, will reduce time to successful extubation.

This trial will identify the best strategy to reduce the time patients spend on ventilators and in ICUs, clarify best weaning practices, enhance care delivery, and launch a new paradigm of engagement into our research.