3.1 Demographic characteristics (Table 1)
50 patients were enrolled into our study, out of which 7 children were reintubated within 48 hours of extubation (group 1). The patients in group 1 were younger in age compared to group 2, median age 1 (0.25-7) year vs 3(0.25-17) years; p=0.040, and an age less than 1.5 years correlated with weaning failure with a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 68%. The study groups were comparable with respect to their sex, basal metabolic index (BMI), surgical procedures performed, minimum intraoperative temperature, CPB and aortic cross clamp times fluid balance at the end of CPB and before extubation in ICU and echocardiographic parameters. The MV duration was significantly prolonged in-group 1 (23.50 hours vs. 13 hours, p=0.019) and had more frequent use of non – invasive ventilation (NIV) (42.8% vs. 7%, p=0.029). The total ICU stay days was significantly longer in-group 1 (9 days vs 3 days, p = 0.02).