Extubation Criteria
J. Prince Neelankavil, M.D.
Case 71 y.o. male s/p laparascopic surgery
presents to the PACU intubated. Pt. remained intubated secondary to residual neuromuscular blockade
H/O HTN, DM When should we extubate?
General Principles Why was the patient intubated in the
first place? Inadequate oxygenation/ventilation/airway protection.
Patient should have adequate respiratory drive, respiratory muscle strength, cough reflex to clear secretions, laryngeal function and clearance of sedative and neuromuscular blocking medications.
Adequate Gas Exchange? Adequate arterial partial pressure
of oxygen: [PaO2/FIO2] ratio > 150-200
Appropriate pH (pH >7.25) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide during spontaneous ventilation
Pass a Breathing Trial? 30–120 minute spontaneous
breathing trial with low level of CPAP (e.g. 5 cm H2O) or low level of pressure support (e.g. 5-7 cm H2O)
Show gas exchange (ABG), hemodynamic stability, and subjective comfort
Pass These Numbers? RR < 35 Vital capacity > than 10 mL/kg NIF > -20 Tidal Volume > 5mL/kg Minute ventilation < 10L/min Thoracic compliance > 25 mL/cm
H2O
Able to Protect Airway? Appropriate level of consciousness Adequate airway protective
reflexes (cough, swallow, vocal cord movement)
Adequate managed secretions
All Systems Go? Hemodynamic Stability (+/- 20%)
Nutritional status allowing for respiratory muscle strength
Risk Factors for Failed Extubation ICU patient Age > 70 or < 24 months Hemoglobin <10 mg/dL Longer duration of mechanical
ventilation Medical or surgical airway condition Frequent pulmonary toilet Loss of airway protective reflexes
What do you need to extubate? Oxygen source Suction Oral/Nasal airways Face masks Endotracheal tubes LMA Pulse ox Cardiac Monitors CO2 detectors Ambu bags
What did we do before we extubated our patient? Ensured proper equipment needed for
reintubation Monitoring BP, HR, Sat, RR Used a twitch monitor to demonstrate
no fade on TOF/sustained tetany Turned off the propofol sedation
What did we do before we extubated our patient? We did not quantitatively evaluate his
tidal volume, thoracic compliance, pH, NIF, breathing trial, etc…
We qualitatively evaluated several things 1. Stable hemodynamics
2. Able to protect airway
3. Able to exchange gases
Stable Hemodynamics His preoperative BP and HR were
134/77 and 68
Prior to extubation his BP and HR were 126/72 and 61
Able to protect airway Patient was gagging on the ETT and
would gag when we suctioned him
Patient was coughing
Able to exchange gases Patient was spontaneously breathing for
30 minutes Good ventilatory effort Maintained oxygen saturation
Case Our patient was extubated and had an
uneventful PACU stay.
Another satisfied customer
References American Association for
Respiratory Care (AARC). Removal of the endotracheal tube--2007 revision & update. Respir Care 2007 Jan;52(1):81-93
Nir Hoftman, M.D.’s PACU extubation criteria