RSBI

Medical abbreviation · Respiratory

RSBI
Stands forRapid shallow breathing index
CategoriesMedical

RSBI stands for Rapid shallow breathing index, a respiratory abbreviation.

Breathing rate divided by tidal volume in liters, measured during a brief period of unsupported breathing to predict whether a patient can be weaned from the ventilator. A value below 105 suggests a good chance of success.

Example: RR 24, Vt 0.4 L: RSBI 60, favorable for extubation.

Usage notes

Introduced by Karl Yang and Martin Tobin in a 1991 study, it is also called the Tobin index. Patients who fail weaning tend to breathe fast and shallow, raising the ratio. The RSBI is a screening tool rather than a definitive test and is usually combined with a formal spontaneous breathing trial.

More respiratory abbreviations

  • PTX – Pneumothorax
  • RAD – Reactive airway disease
  • RDI – Respiratory disturbance index
  • RDS – Respiratory distress syndrome
  • RLL – Right lower lobe
  • RML – Right middle lobe
  • RUL – Right upper lobe
  • RV – Residual volume
  • SABA – Short-acting beta2-agonist
  • SAMA – Short-acting muscarinic antagonist
  • SaO2 – Arterial oxygen saturation
  • SBT – Spontaneous breathing trial

See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.