Ultrasound Evaluation of Abdominal Muscle Thickness During Mechanical Ventilation

Weakness of respiratory muscles is frequent after several days of mechanical ventilation. Thereby an acquired diaphragm weakness has been demonstrated, linked to an atrophy which may be identified by a decrease of muscle thickness in echography. Weakness of expiratory muscles is also frequent after 7 days of mechanical ventilation, however his cause is not clear: is it present at admission notably in elderly patients, or acquired on mechanical ventilation ? Ultrasound allows to measure the thickness of abdominal muscles which correlates with their strength. This study aims to evaluate with ultrasound the variation of thickness of abdominal muscles after 7 days of mechanical ventilation.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient affiliated or entitled to a social security plan
• Expected duration of mechanical ventilation > 7 days
• Trusted person/relative who has signed a consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Patient with a pre-existing neuromuscular pathology
• No access to ultrasound Windows (dressing, drainages...)
• Patient transferred from another intensive care unit
• Patient Under guardianship or curators