Table 4 Comparison of primary outcome and extubation characteristics

Successful extubation [N (%)]

45 (67%)

40 (58%)

0.27

Time of blood gas after extubation (hours) [Median (IQR)]

4 (2, 6)

2 (2, 4)

0.02

Blood gas after extubation [Mean (SD)]

pH

7.4 ± 0.1

7.3 ± 0.1

0.02

PCO₂

45.8 ± 13.4

47.8 ± 13.3

0.39

FiO₂ [Mean (SD)]

0.27 ± 0.09

0.26 ± 0.06

0.30

Time to reintubation (days) [Median (IQR)]

2 (1, 4)

1 (1, 5)

0.76

Number and reasons for reintubation [N (%)]

N = 22

N = 29

Hypercapnia

0

0

FiO₂ requirements > 60%

2 (9%)

0

0.14

Severe apnea defined as need for positive pressureventilation or frequent apnea defined as ≥ 4 minor apneic episodes per hour requiring moderate stimulation

13 (59%)

23 (79%)

Combination of the above

7 (32%)

6 (21%)