Looking for answers re: long term vent weaning

[mudd68]

One week ago tomorrow my uncle suffered a grand mal seizure. My grandfather noticed his snoring sounded "funny" and he had been incontinent of urine. At the hospital the nurse realized he had aspirated emesis. He has been on a vent ever since. Currently he is on a 150mcg/hr fentanyl drip for sedation and in wrist restraints. He responds to stimuli, verbal and tactile, but according to the nurses his responses are not "good" ones, i.e. thrashing in the bed, tacycardia, hypertension, etc. They are medicating him with ativan prior to any required hands on care. And he has not been able to tolerate being weaned from the vent. They are now considering a trach. My question is for any nurses familiar with vent weaning in pt's who have required long term vent therapy. I know my uncle would not want to live the rest of his life on a ventilator or in an LTAC. Are his responses to vent weaing a direct result of lung trauma sustained from the aspiration and will they (his lungs) be able to heal and/or function appropriately again? From what I understand, his lungs are not "taking over' when they attempt to wean him. I know his recovery will take time but what I really want to know is if a recovery is even possible. Has anyone seen a pt in this critical of condition make a full recovery? Any information would be appreciated.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

per terms of service we can not offer personalized advice. i've cared for vente patients for over 20 yrs. those that have stong will to live and family support do the best. i've seen sicker patients than you described be weaned from a vent.

one patient in particular was trached on vent 6 months extubated 2 weeks then bacck on vent ....sent home on vent 6 months later.....pulmonologist told us he was weaned 2 months later. he didn't return to the hospital till 5 years later.

see info in pulmonary forum: tracheostomy and vent information