Reduced Diaphragmatic Thickness Index in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Impact on Weaning Outcome

such as maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), negative inspiratory force (NIF), rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI), and imaging modalities such as diaphragmatic fluoroscopy and diaphragmatic ultrasound.However, to date, the transdiaphragmatic twitch pressure in response to phrenic nerve stimulation continues to remain the gold standard for assessment of DW. [10][11][12] Nevertheless, diaphragmatic ultrasound is evolving as the preferred bedside tool, considering that it is noninvasive, inexpensive, easily available, repeatable, and allows for serial assessments. 13Ultrasound-based