Long-term Implications of Tracheostomy in Cardiac Surgery Patients: Decannulation and Mortality

BackgroundThe long-term implications of tracheostomy in cardiac surgical patients are largely unknown. We sought to investigate outcomes including decannulation and mortality a population post-cardiac surgery patients.MethodsAll undergoing at single institution between 1997 2016 were evaluated for postoperative placement, time decannulation, mortality. Patients stratified by as well successful comparison. Kaplan-Meier analysis identified Fine-Gray’s competing risk regression, accounting mortality, predictors decannulation.ResultsOf 14,600 total patients, only 309 required tracheostomy. with had high rates perioperative comorbidities, 60% heart failure 24% stroke. Tracheostomy short-term median survival 152 days, 1-year 41%, 5-year 29.1%. remained place 59 rate 80% living patients. older age (hazard ratio 0.98, P = .01), chronic lung disease 0.66, .03), preoperative or dialysis 0.45, < .01) less likely have their removed.ConclusionsTracheostomy is associated poor However, who do survive short duration almost all surviving eventually decannulated. This finding provides valuable information pre-procedural counseling these high-risk families. The All decannulation. Of removed.