Abstract
Extubation criteria in adult patients with acute respiratory failure are reviewed. Oxygenation, ventilatory ability, and airway patency must be assessed to predict the possibility of successful extubation of the tracheal tube. Combined assessment of two or more parameters is more useful to predict ventilatory ability. However, prediction of airway patency after extubation is so difficult that aspiration, airway obstruction, and insufficient clearance of sputa are well known as the main reasons for reintubation. Although many extubation criteria have been proposed, none of these can perfectly predict a successful extubation. Therefore, we must remain prepared for reintubation, while attempting extubation of the tracheal tube.
