Early extubation reduces respiratory complications and hospital length of stay following repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Background: Early extubation after cardiac surgery is associated with decreased hospital stay and resource savings with similar mortality and has led to the widespread use of early extubation protocols. In the Vascular Quality Initiative, there is significant regional variation in the frequency of extubation in the operating room (endovascular aneurysm repair [EVAR], 77%-97%; open repair, 30%-70%) after repair of intact abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). However, the effects of extubation practices on patient outcomes after repair of AAAs are unclear. Methods: All patients undergoing repair of an intact AAA in the Vascular Study Group of New England from 2003 to 2015 were evaluated. Patients undergoing concomitant procedures or conversions were excluded. Timing of extubation was stratified for EVAR (operating room, < 12 hours, > 12 hours) and open repair (operating room, < 12 hours, 12-24 hours, > 24 hours). Prolonged hospital stay was defined as > 2 days after EVAR and > 7 days after open repair. Univariate and multivariable analyses were completed, and independent predictors of extubation outside of the operating room were identified. Results: There were 5774 patients evaluated (EVAR, 4453; open repair, 1321). After both EVAR and open repair, respiratory complications, prolonged hospital stay, and discharge to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) increased with intubation time. After adjustment, the odds of complications increased with each 12-hour delay in extubation: respiratory (EVAR: odds ratio [OR], 4.3 [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.0-6.1]; open repair: OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.5-2.2]), prolonged hospital stay (EVAR: OR, 2.7 [95% CI, 2.0-3.8]; open repair: OR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.1-1.4]), and discharge to SNF (EVAR: OR, 2.0 [95% CI, 1.5-2.8]; open repair: OR, 1.4 [95% CI, 1.1-1.6]). Predictors of extubation outside of the operating room after EVAR included increasing age (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8), congestive heart failure (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-3.0), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4-2.9), symptomatic aneurysm (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.3-5.7), and increasing diameter (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01-1.01). After open repair, increasing age (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6), congestive heart failure (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.01-3.3), dialysis (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.7-70), symptomatic aneurysm (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.9-4.3), and hospital practice patterns (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01-1.01) were predictive of extubation outside of the operating room. Conclusions: The benefits of early extubation in cardiac patients are also seen after AAA repair. Suitable patients should be extubated in the operating room to decrease respiratory complications, length of stay, and discharge to an SNF. Early extubation protocols should be considered to reduce regional variation in extubation practices and to improve patient outcomes.