[Diagnosis and management of dysphagia in patients with tracheostomy tube after cardiac surgery: an early screening protocol].

SCOPE: Patients with tracheostomy tube after major cardiac surgery undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation Program often present swallowing disorders that need a specific evaluation. This study aimed at validating the usefulness of a swallowing screen protocol in order to obtain an early assessment of dysphagia and to prevent aspiration, malnutrition and dehydration risks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The protocol has been applied to 38 consecutive patients with tracheostomy tube after cardiac surgery between September 2007 and December 2009. The average age of patients was 73 +/- 6 years; the average value of left ventricular ejection fraction was 41 +/- 4%. The protocol included a water swallowing test and a specific swallowing test with blue dye. During tests, the presence of signs of swallowing dysfunction was evaluated and oxygen saturation levels were monitored.

RESULTS: Out of 38 patients, 2 did not show any swallowing deficits; 18 showed deficits in the water swallowing test even though they presented a preserved swallowing function during specific swallowing test. All these 20 patients (53%), before discharge, restarted an oral feeding and obtained an adequate body mass index and effective coughing, so they were soon decannulated. Twelve patients (31%) showed deficits during the water swallowing test, confirmed by the specific swallowing test with blue dye: the tracheostomy tube was not removed and a specific program of swallowing rehabilitation was performed. Before discharge all patients restarted an oral feeding, recovered an effective coughing and were decannulated. Six patients (16%), because of persistent dysphagia, underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. None of these 38 patients developed ab ingestis pneumonia, dehydration or malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS: An early assessment of swallowing in patients with tracheostomy tube after cardiac surgery allows the selection of patients with higher aspiration risk, preventing possible severe complications.