Objective: To investigate the risk factors of failed extubation (FE) after cardiac surgery in infants.
Methods: 227 infants (< 1 year of age) who underwent congenital heart surgery in the period between January 2001 and December 2002 were included in this study. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of failed extubation. Odds Ratio was used to suppose the degree of relationship between FE and risk factors.
Results: Out of the 227 infants undergoing congenital heart operations, 30 (13.22%) cases failed at the extubation. Risk factors for failed extubation included postoperative duration of ventilation (EOR = 12.0; 95% CI = 4.04 - 35.71; P = 0.000 9), postoperative pneumonia (EOR = 5.33; 95% CI = 1.81 - 15.68; P = 0.002) and preoperative pulmonary hypertension (EOR = 2.80; 95% CI = 1.21 - 10.45; P = 0.041). Postoperative pneumonia and preoperative pulmonary hypertension were the 2 independent risk factors for failed extubation (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Postoperative pneumonia and preoperative pulmonary hypertension are major risk factors for failed extubation after congenital heart surgery in infants. To prevent and to treat postoperative pneumonia and pulmonary hypertensive crises will be beneficial to the successful extubation.