New trends in the management of difficult-to-wean patients

Symposium
Chairs: J. Winck (Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal), L. Piquilloud (Lausanne, Switzerland)
Aims: to discuss new trends in the multidisciplinary approach to patients with chronic critical illnesses.

Prolonged mechanical ventilation - definitions and outcome L. Brochard (Toronto (ON), Canada)
Why can my patient not be weaned from the ventilator? L. Heunks (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Evaluation of swallowing dysfunction and treatment with Passy-Muir valve C. Iezzi (London, United Kingdom)
Challenges associated with whole body rehabilitation in difficult-to-wean patients M. Vitacca (Gussago (BS), Italy)