An institutional experience with epidural analgesia in children and young adults undergoing cardiac surgery

Summary Background: Allowing spontaneous respiration after cardiac surgery eliminates complications related to mechanical ventilation and optimizes cardiopulmonary interaction. Epidural analgesia has been proposed to promote early extubation after cardiac surgery. Objective: To identify the characteristics of patients with epidural analgesia and safety profiles with respect to the timing of extubation following cardiac surgery. Design and method: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent cardiac surgery during a 5‐year period. Demographic, procedural, and perioperative variables were analyzed to investigate factors that affect the timing of extubation. Results: A total of 750 records were reviewed. The patients’ median age was 12 months, and 52% were infants (