Background and purpose: Critical care nurses could actively participate in the decision made by the healthcare team especially if they have the knowledge on the factors that affect extubation time following coronary artery bypass surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the duration of intubation after coronary artery bypass surgery and related factors in Mazandaran Heart Center, Sari, Iran.

Materials and methods: A descriptive analytical study was carried out in 200 patients with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Relevant information was obtained via observation, patients medical records, and nursing notes. Data analysis was performed using frequency and central tendency, dispersion indices, Spearman correlation, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square, and regression tests.

Results: The duration of intubation was 9.39±2.27 hours. Meanwhile, the relationship between demographic variables and preoperative clinical factors was examined using regression models. In this study, respiratory disease, history of MI, age, and weight were found to be significantly associated with duration of intubation.

Conclusion: Considering demographic and clinical factors on admission and preparation of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery results in earlier detection of patients at risk of prolonged intubation, and makes it possible to schedule and perform care plans accurately to prevent physical and psychological complications of prolonged mechanical ventilation and increased healthcare costs.