Weaning of a 96-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with respiratory failure: A case report and literature review

Objective To discuss the clinical characteristics of advanced aged patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the method of successful weaning after mechanical ventilation. Methods Clinical features and treatment of a 96-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with respiratory failure in our hospital in 2014 were reviewed, and the experience of his successful weaning was analyzed. Results The 96 years old male patient who was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory infection, typeⅡ respiratory failure and septic shock, was treated with mechanical ventilation, antibiotics, nutrition-support therapy and so on. The ventilation mode was synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation. The patient was extubated successfully after 18 days of intubation. Then non-invasive ventilator was used intermittently and the function of respiratory muscles was trained until completely weaning. Conclusion Advanced aged patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized with worse conditions. Weaning is especially difficult after intubation to them.Appropriate ventilation mode, reasonable anti-infectious, nutrition-support therapy and respiratory muscle training will contribute to successful weaning at the right time.