Fast-Track Extubation After Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review.

ABSTRACT: Fast-track extubation has emerged as a vital component of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathways, designed to optimize recovery and resource utilization after cardiac surgery, contrasting with traditional prolonged ventilation. This review explores the evidence supporting fast-track extubation, detailing patient selection criteria based on preoperative risk factors and functional status and outlining perioperative management strategies. It synthesizes findings from various studies, including randomized controlled trials, retrospective studies, and meta-analyses, focusing on intraoperative techniques such as low-dose opioids, neuromuscular blockade reversal, controlled cardiopulmonary bypass duration, judicious inotrope use, and minimal transfusion, alongside structured postoperative prot

SUBMITTER: Christophides A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12841624 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature