Weaning patients off ventilation in an ICU is sometimes difficult, because of three major inter-related etiologies: impaired lung, heart and diaphragm function. In this context, ultrasonography during tests to wean patients off ventilation could make it possible to diagnose cardiac dysfunction, a loss of pulmonary aeration or diaphragm dysfunction and thus reduce the number of failures at extubation.

The study will be carried out in 100 patients on mechanical ventilation following abdominal or heart surgery, who will have echocardiography, and pulmonary and diaphragm ultrasonography.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients on mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours
• Age ≥ 60 years
• Patients who have undergone abdominal or heart surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a known neuromuscular disease
• Patients younger than 60 years
• Duration of mechanical ventilation <48h
• Non-surgical patients
• Patients with severe COPD

Patients on post-operative mechanical ventilation following heart or abdominal surgery