• L V Doering.
• University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing 90095-6918, USA.
• Heart Lung. 1997 Nov 1; 26 (6): 439-47.

ObjectiveTo identify the relationship of age, sex, and type of procedure to extubation outcome (< or = 8 hours or > 8 hours), and to identify barriers to extubation after heart surgery.DesignQuasi-experimental, prospective study.SettingTen-bed cardiothoracic intensive care unit.SampleSixty-two consecutive patients undergoing heart surgery.Outcome MeasuresEarly (< or = 8 hours) versus delayed (> 8 hours) extubation.ResultsPatients in the delayed extubation group were older (69.1 +/- 11.3 years) than the patients in the early extubation group (59.6 +/- 8.0 years, p = 0.01). Univariate logistic regression comparing age (< 70 or > or = 70 years), sex, and procedure (coronary artery bypass graft or other procedure) identified only age 70 years or older as a predictor of delayed extubation. The unadjusted odds ratio of delayed extubation in patients 70 years or older was 11.25.ConclusionsAge is a powerful predictor of delayed extubation after heart surgery. Only postoperative somnolence distinguished barriers to extubation in younger and older patients.

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