WEANING FROM IMVProlonged intubation and MV are related to high morbidity and mortality,73, 74 and a strategy to accelerate the process of weaning is expected to improve patient prognosis and to shorten the ICU length of stay.In the majority of cases, withdrawal of MV is possible immediately after resolution of the underlying problems responsible for ARF. However, there is a group of ventilated patients, namely those with a preexisting respiratory disease and persisting hypercapnia, who require more gradual and longer withdrawal of MV.In patients with ventilator‐dependent hypercapnia and COPD, NIV has been shown to be as effective as IMV in reducing inspiratory effort and improving arterial blood gases.75, 76 Patients who failed a T‐piece trial were randomized to either extubation, with immediate application of NIV, or continued weaning with the endotracheal tube in place. Overall, this study showed that when NIV is used as a weaning technique, the likelihood of weaning success is increased, while the duration of MV and ICU stay decreased.