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