Mechanisms, Predictors and Clinical Markers of Dysphagia in Cardiac Surgical Patients

Swallowing impairment and VFMI are common, yet often overlooked, complications of cardiovascular surgical procedures. The true incidence of both dysphagia and VFMI in this patient population is unclear due to a lack of rigorous study using instrumental assessment techniques and validated outcomes in all patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. The study is therefore aimed to determine the incidence of dysphagia and VFMI in this patient population and to characterize impairment profiles related to swallowing safety and efficiency. In addition, the study is also aimed to assess the relative impact of VFMI and dysphagia on health-related outcomes such as length of hospital stay, pneumonia, sepsis, reintubation, and discharge status. We will identify risk factors for postoperative dysphagia and VFMI in cardiovascular patients to build a practical electronic risk-stratification tool. We also aim to identify sensitive bedside clinical markers of dysphagia in postoperative cardiovascular patients to develop a bedside screening tool. All participants will undergo two research visits (one preoperatively and one postoperatively) where they will undergo an instrumental swallowing test and complete several patient report outcomes and clinical tests. If they are found to have dysphagia after surgery, they will be offered no-cost follow up swallow tests at months 1 and 6. Finally, health-related outcomes will be indexed in enrolled participants to determine the impact of dysphagia.