Objectives: Weaning is the period in which mechanic support in the intensive care unit is diminished and respiratory work is completely maintained by the patient. CRP is an acute phase reactant that increases in inflammation. Proper time and application way is important for the weaning. Biochemical tests are important as respiratory parameters at the weaning too. This study was planned to show whether the level of CRP can be used as a new parameter in the success of weaning.

Material and Methods: This study was performed on patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) between June 2005 and January in Firat University Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation. 54 patients included weaning protocol who meeting PEEP=5, FIO2:0.4, f/Vt<105, P0.1<6, NIF>25. Age, staying time in the ICU, APACHE II scores, and ventilation supporting time of the patients were recorded. By the weaning process, patients were divided in to three groups according to the CRP levels. The patients were placed into Group I whose CRP levels below 10 mg/dl, 10-100 mg/dl into Group II and upper 100 mg/dl into Group III. The weaning success and failure between groups were recorded. Chi-Square test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used in statistical analysis.

Results: There were no significant difference between groups when the take care age of patients, staying time in the ICU, APACHE II scores and needing ventilation supporting time. The weaning failure between Group I and Group II wasn't significant.

Conculasion: When compared with Group I and II, weaning failure in the Group III was higher significantly, but albumin levels were found lower than Group I and Group II. We found a correlation between high CRP levels and weaning failure among the patients that weaning considered respecting respiratory parameters. CRP levels should take into consideration in early determining weaning success in patients that thinking of weaning. ©2007, Firat University, Medical Faculty