Severe but reversible impaired diaphragm function in septic mechanically ventilated patients

Annals of Intensive Care

Table 3 Main outcomes according to the time course of diaphragm function

	Increase in diaphragm function* n = 40	Decrease or no change in diaphragm function n = 52	p
Total duration of mechanical ventilation, days	7 (5–15)	7 (5–14)	0.593
Ventilatory free days at 28 days, days	18 (2–23)	15 (0–23)	0.399
Total length of ICU stay, days	13 (7–21)	10 (7–19)	0.687
ICU mortality, n (%)	8 (20)	18 (35)	0.123
Mortality at day 28, n (%)	9 (23)	22 (42)	0.046

Categorical variables are expressed as absolute value (%) and continuous variables as median (interquartile range)
ICU: intensive care unit
^* Increase in diaphragm function is defined as an increase > 10% of the change of endotracheal tube pressure induced by bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation during airway occlusion between first measure at inclusion and second measure performed at the time of first switch to pressure support mode