Reintubation in the ICU following cardiac surgery: is it more difficult than first-time intubation in the operating room?: A prospective observational study.

Background: After cardiac surgery, a patient's trachea is usually extubated; however, 2 to 13% of cardiac surgery patients require reintubation in the ICU.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the initial intubation in the cardiac operating room with reintubation (if required) in the ICU following cardiac surgery.

Design: A prospective, observational study.