Abstract:Objective To investigate the predictive value of diaphragmatic ultrasound dynamic parameters combined with oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) and Lung Injury Prediction Score (LIPS) for weaning failure in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods A total of 118 ARDS patients receiving mechanical ventilation at The Second People's Hospital of Neijiang from January 2023 to January 2025 were enrolled and divided into a weaning success group (n = 81) and a weaning failure group (n = 37) based on outcomes. Diaphragmatic ultrasound was performed within 24 hours before weaning to record diaphragmatic excursion (DE) and diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF), along with respiratory mechanics parameters and LIPS scores. Differences between groups were compared, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for weaning failure. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to evaluate the predictive performance of the combined model.Results The duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly longer in the weaning failure group than in the weaning success group (P < 0.05). In addition, both the LIPS and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were significantly higher in the weaning failure group (P < 0.05). DE and DTF were significantly higher in the weaning success group than in the weaning failure group (P < 0.05). The PaO2/FiO2 was also significantly higher in the weaning success group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in pH, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide, lactate level, respiratory rate, or oxygen saturation (all P > 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that increased LIPS scores [O^R = 3.546 (95% CI: 1.400, 8.981) ] and increased APACHE II scores [O^R = 1.152 (95% CI: 1.010, 1.315) ] were independent risk factors for weaning failure in patients with ARDS. In contrast, increased DE [O^R = 0.776 (95% CI: 0.642, 0.938) ], increased DTF [O^R = 0.817 (95% CI: 0.741, 0.901) ], and increased PaO2/FiO2 [O^R = 0.966 (95% CI: 0.934, 0.999) ] were identified as protective factors against weaning failure in ARDS patients (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the combination of DE, DTF, PaO2/FiO2, and LIPS scores yielded the highest area under the curve of 0.936 (95% CI: 0.890, 0.982), with a sensitivity of 83.8% (95% CI: 0.680, 0.938) and a specificity of 90.1% (95% CI: 0.815, 0.956).Conclusion The combination of diaphragmatic ultrasound dynamic parameters, PaO2/FiO2, and LIPS score effectively predicts weaning failure in ARDS patients, thereby providing an objective basis for clinical weaning decision-making.