Failed extubation

Q: Which patients have higher mortality (select one)

A) who fail extubation early
B) who fail extubation late



Answer: B

Re-intubation is an undesirable act for any patient but it happens regularly and normally. Normal re-intubation rate in any ICU is around 5-15%. But, it is better to fail extubation earlier in the course, as mortality is highest among those who fail extubation after more than 12 hours.


#Pulmonary
#Ventilators


Reference:

Epstein SK, Ciubotaru RL. Independent effects of etiology of failure and time to reintubation on outcome for patients failing extubation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1998; 158:489.