Comparative Analysis Between Cough Peak Flow And Cough Strength Score in Evaluating Patients for Scheduled Extubation

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the accuracy of cough strength score and cough peak flow in anticipating extubation results in patients admitted to ICU. Methods: Prospective, randomized and double-blind investigation was carried out in the period from June 2014 till October 2016 at Royal Medical Services Amman-Jordan. 204 patients who were candidates for extubation after a successful spontaneous breathing test were included in this study. Cough strength score and cough peak flow were evaluated before extubation. Reintubation was recorded after three days of extubation. Results: Twenty-six patients required reintubation during the three days after planned extubation. Patients with successful extubation had higher cough strength score than patients who required reintubation. Cough strength score demonstrated a positive correlation with cough peak flow. There is an inverse relation between cough strength score and reintubation incidence. Conclusions: Cough strength score is an easy and applicable method to be recorded at the bedside. It is positively associated with CPF and had the same result for anticipating reintubation after scheduled extubation.