Using drug chronotherapy to wean patients from mechanical ventilation

Timing of drug administration may facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation. Weaning from mechanical ventilation converts intrathoracic pressure from positive back to the normal negative, which can have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system of compromised patients. This can result in failure to wean. Optimal timing of medication administration may offset these adverse effects. For example, nurses can time administration of a diuretic so that it has peak effect when the weaning trial begins.