Heartbeat clues may help doctors decide when to pull the plug on ventilators

This study looks at whether heart rate variability (small changes in heartbeat timing) can help doctors decide the best time to remove a breathing tube from critically ill patients. About 100 adults on ventilators will have their heart signals and standard weaning tests combined into a new prediction model. The goal is to reduce failed extubations and improve outcomes like days off the ventilator and ICU stay length.