Speckle-tracking heart ultrasound to help predict failure when coming off a ventilator

Combined Thoracic Ultrasound Using Speckle Tracking for the Prediction of Weaning Failure : a Prospective Multicenter Study

NA · Assistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille · NCT03657524

This study will test whether speckle-tracking echocardiography performed during a weaning trial can help predict which mechanically ventilated ICU patients will fail to breathe on their own.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment110 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAssistance Publique Hopitaux De Marseille (other)
Locations1 site (Marseille)
Trial IDNCT03657524 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Deciding when to remove a breathing tube is difficult because current weaning predictors are imperfect. This interventional diagnostic study will perform speckle-tracking echocardiography during a standardized weaning trial to measure cardiac deformation parameters that may indicate diastolic dysfunction and elevated filling pressures. Investigators will compare the diagnostic accuracy of speckle-tracking with conventional echocardiography and lung ultrasound for predicting weaning failure. The trial enrolls adult ICU patients ready for a spontaneous breathing trial and excludes patients with arrhythmia, tracheotomy, neuromuscular disease, pregnancy, or inadequate echocardiographic windows.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults in the ICU on mechanical ventilation who meet criteria for a weaning (spontaneous breathing) trial, are in sinus rhythm, and have adequate echocardiographic windows are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with non-sinus cardiac rhythms, tracheotomy, neuromuscular disorders, pregnancy, or poor echogenicity are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for the test.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could give clinicians a more reliable tool to predict extubation failure, potentially reducing emergency reintubations and ICU complications.

How similar studies have performed: Conventional echocardiography combined with lung ultrasound has shown promising results for predicting post-extubation distress, but using speckle-tracking specifically for this purpose is novel and has not been previously studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

\- Patients hospitalized in intensive care unit under mechanical fulfilling the criteria of ventilation weaning trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Less than 18 years old.
* Pregnancy
* Non sinusal cardiac rhythm
* Neuro Myopathy
* Tracheotomy
* Lack of echogenicity to perform at least a four chamber apical view

Where this trial is running

Marseille

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Weaning Failure of Mechanical Ventilation

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.