Objective:To explore the efficacy of preventive use of noninvasive ventilation in weak cough patients who was planned for extubation. Methods:This study was performed in a intensive care unit from 2011 to 2015

and one hundred and six patients who successfully completed a spontaneous breathing trial were enrolled. Weak cough was defined that the semiquantitative cough strength scale was rated less than 2 assessed at extubation. Finally

59 patients received preventive use of noninvasive ventilation immediately after extubation(intervention group)and 49 patients received conventional oxygenation by nasal cannula(control group). The primary outcome was re-intubation rate within 72 hours after extubation. Results:Preventive use of noninvasive ventilation reduced re-intubation at 72 hours after extubation compared with control group(12% vs. 39%

P=0.003). Further

multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that preventive use of noninvasive ventilation was a protective factor for re-intubation at 72 hours after extubation(odds ratio=0.22

95% confidence interval=0.08 to 0.59

P=0.002). In survivors

preventive use of noninvasive ventilation also reduced intensive care unit stay(13 days vs. 21 days

P=0.04). Conclusion:Preventive use of noninvasive ventilation can reduce re-intubation in weak cough patients who successfully passed a spontaneous breathing trial.