Clinical dysphagia risk predictors after prolonged orotracheal intubation

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate independent risk factors for dysphagia after prolonged orotracheal intubation. METHODS: The participants were 148 consecutive patients who underwent clinical bedside swallowing assessments from September 2009 to September 2011. All patients had received prolonged orotracheal intubations and were admitted to one of several intensive care units of a large Brazilian school hospital. The correlations between the conducted water swallow test results and dysphagia risk levels were analyzed for statistical significance. RESULTS: Of the 148 patients included in the study, 91 were male and 57 were female (mean age, 53.64 years). The univariate analysis results indicated that specific variables, including extraoral loss, multiple swallows, cervical auscultation, vocal quality, cough, choking, and other signs, were possible significant high-risk indicators of dysphagia onset. The multivariate analysis results indicated that cervical auscultation and coughing were independent predictive variables for high dysphagia risk. CONCLUSIONS: Patients displaying extraoral loss, multiple swallows, cervical auscultation, vocal quality, cough, choking and other signs should benefit from early swallowing evaluations. Additionally, early post-extubation dysfunction recognition is paramount in reducing the morbidity rate in this high-risk population

Decannulation: a retrospective cohort study of clinical and swallowing indicators of success

Objective: To investigate the clinical and swallowing indicators related to a successful decannulation process during the hospital stay. Methods: A retrospective cohort clinical study. The study sample comprised a heterogeneous patient population who had submitted to a tracheostomy procedure in a tertiary hospital. Patients were divided into two groups (decannulated vs. non-decannulated) and compared not only in terms of demographic and clinical data but also the results of a swallowing assessment and intervention outcome. Results: Sixty-four patients were included in the present study: 25 (39%) who had been successfully decannulated, and 39 (61%) who could not be decannulated. Between-group comparisons indicated that both groups presented similar clinical and demographic characteristics. The groups also presented similar swallowing assessment results prior to intervention. However, significant differences were observed regarding the time to begin swallowing rehabilitation. The decannulated group was assessed nine days earlier than the non-decannulated group. Other significant differences included the removal of the alternate feeding method (72.0% of decannulated patients vs. 5.1% of non-decannulated patients) and the reintroduction of oral feeding (96.0% of decannulated patients vs. 41.0% of non-decannulated patients) and functional swallowing level at patient disclosure. The non-decannulated patient group presented higher death rates at disclosure. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that the following parameters were associated with a successful decannulation process: early swallowing assessment, swallowing rehabilitation, and improvement in the swallowing functional level during the hospital stay. The maintenance of low swallowing functional levels was found to be negatively associated with successful decannulation

Dia D da cardiopatia congênita como ação de extensão universitária: contribuindo com o diagnóstico precoce das cardiopatias / D-Day of Congenital Heart Disease as a University Extension Action: Contributing to the Early Diagnosis of Heart Diseases

INTRODUÇÃO: A cardiopatia congênita (CC) permanece como importante causa  de óbito por malformações congênitas, sendo a terceira causa de morte no período  neonatal. O seu diagnóstico precoce é fundamental. OBJETIVO: Descrever uma ação de  educação em saúde voltada à conscientização sobre as CC para população geral.  METODOLOGIA: Estudo descritivo e qualitativo. RESULTADOS: A ação contou com  um público alvo estimado de 800 pessoas e cerca de 100 participantes na equipe  organizadora. O evento “Dia D da CC” (DDCC) permitiu divulgar o conhecimento básico  sobre CC, a importância da rede de relações sociais no enfrentamento às dificuldades do  cotidiano da criança cardiopata, e a necessidade da presença de equipe multiprofissional.  Os acadêmicos desenvolveram habilidades importantes, em virtude do uso de estratégias  participativas, da articulação com a equipe de saúde e do estabelecimento do vínculo com a  público-alvo. O DDCC consolidou um grande processo de ensino-aprendizagem para os  acadêmicos e profissionais participantes, tendo em vista o engajamento geral para a  realização de um projeto voluntário e de cunho educativo. CONCLUSÕES: O DDCC se  constituiu em uma prática de educação em saúde, expandindo as atividades acadêmicas em prol do ensino e da realização de atividades sociais, de modo a fomentar a conscientização  acerca das CC, contribuindo para a melhora da qualidade de vida da população acometida  e com a busca pela redução da morbimortalidade

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Clinical predictors of dysphagia risk after prolonged orotracheal intubation

INTRODUÇÃO: A deglutição é um processo complexo que requer a coordenação precisa de mais de 25 músculos, seis pares de nervos cranianos e os lobos frontais. O comprometimento neste processo, denominado de disfagia, pode aumentar a taxa de morbidade dos pacientes e também o risco para a aspiração, retardando a administração de uma nutrição adequada por via oral. A intubação orotraqueal prolongada, definida na literatura como período superior a 48 horas de intubação, poderá causar alterações na deglutição e ocasionar a disfagia após a extubação. OBJETIVO: correlacionar a gravidade de pacientes críticos não neurológicos com preditores clínicos do risco de broncoaspiração. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo adultos, com histórico de intubação orotraqueal prolongada ( > 48 horas), submetidos à avaliação da deglutição em beira de leito nas primeiras 48 horas após a extubação. A coleta de dados envolveu: avaliação fonoaudiológica clínica do risco de aspiração broncopulmonar; determinação do nível funcional da deglutição (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System); determinação da gravidade do paciente (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment). RESULTADOS: a amostra do estudo foi composta por 150 pacientes. Para fins da análise estatística, os pacientes foram agrupados da seguinte forma: ASHA 1 (sem possibilidade de alimentação por via oral); ASHA 2 (sem possibilidade de alimentação por via oral); ASHA 3 (deglutição funcional). As análises estatísticas indicaram os seguintes resultados significantes: indivíduos no grupo ASHA 3 eram mais jovens (46,4±18,30), permaneceram entubados por menos tempo (4,9±2,7 dias) e apresentaram menor gravidade de quadro clínico geral (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment 2,00-5,00). Os sinais clínicos preditores de broncoaspiração que mais diferenciaram os grupos foi a presença de ausculta cervical alterada e presença de tosse após a deglutição, sendo que o grupo ASHA 3 não apresentou esses sinais. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes críticos, submetidos à IOTP, idade >= 55 anos, com período de intubação >=6 dias, gravidade de quadro clínico geral >= 5 na Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, pontuação na Escala de Coma de Glasgow 48 hours) and to a swallowing bedside evaluation during the first 48 hours after extubation. Data gathering involved: clinical assessment of the risk for bronchoaspiration performed by a speech-language pathologist; assessment of the funcitional level of swallowing (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System); assessment of the patient\'s health status (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment). RESULTS: the study sampel was composed by 150 patients. For the analyses purposes, patients were grouped as follows: ASHA 1 (individual is not able to swallow safely and alternative feeding is required); ASHA 2 (alternative feeding is required, but individual may receive some nutrition and hydration by mouth); ASHA 3 (swallowing is functional). Statistical analyses indicated that: ASHA 3 patients were younger (46,4±18,30 years), remained intubated for fewer days (4,9±2,7) and presented a less severe overall health status (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment 2,00-5,00). The clinical predictor signs for bronchoaspiration that best characterized the groups were altered cervical auscultation and presence of cough after swallowing. ASHA 3 patients did not present these signs. CONCLUSION: Critical patients, submitted do POTI, with ages >= 55 years, intubation period >= 6 dias, overall health status >= 5 Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Coma Glasgow Scale <= 14, and presenting altered cervical auscultation and cough during swallowing, should be prioritized for a complete swallowing assessmen

Oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients submitted to prolonged orotracheal intubation in intensive care units

INTRODUÇÃO: A deglutição é um processo complexo que requer a coordenação precisa de mais de 25 músculos, seis pares de nervos cranianos e os lobos frontais. O comprometimento neste processo, denominado de disfagia, pode aumentar a taxa de morbidade dos pacientes e também o risco para a aspiração, retardando a administração de uma nutrição adequada por via oral. A intubação orotraqueal prolongada, definida na literatura como período superior a 48 horas de intubação, poderá causar alterações na deglutição e ocasionar a disfagia após a extubação. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar as variáveis independentes da avaliação fonoaudiológica da deglutição que são preditoras do risco de disfagia após intubação orotraqueal prolongada nas Unidades de Terapia Intensiva. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal observacional. Participaram deste estudo 148 pacientes submetidos à avaliação em beira de leito da deglutição, no período entre setembro de 2009 e setembro de 2011. Todos os pacientes apresentavam histórico de intubação orotraqueal prolongada e foram admitidos em uma das Unidades de Terapia Intensiva de um grande hospital escola brasileiro. Os critérios de inclusão adotados foram: estabilidade clínica e respiratória; pontuação na Escala de Coma Glasgow acima de 14 pontos; idade acima de 18 anos; ausência de traqueostomia; ausência de doenças neurológicas; ausência de disfagia esofágica; ausência de procedimentos cirúrgicos envolvendo a área de cabeça e pescoço. Além disso, os pacientes deveriam ser submetidos à avaliação em beira de leito da deglutição no prazo de 48 horas após a extubação. A análise estatística incluiu a correlação entre os resultados obtidos no teste de deglutição de água e a pontuação do nível da deglutição. RESULTADOS: Os resultados indicaram que a presença de tosse e alteração da ausculta cervical durante a deglutição de água são variáveis preditoras independentes do risco de disfagia para o grupo testado. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo apontou as variáveis preditoras do risco de disfagia em pacientes submetidos à intubação orotraqueal prolongada.INTRODUCTION: Swallowing is a complex process, that require the precise timing and coordination of more than 25 muscles, six cranial nerves and frontal lobes. Compromise of this process, or dysphagia, can result in profund morbidity, increasing the changes of aspiration and delaying the admistration of proper oral nutrition. It is know that an orotracheal tube might disturb these intricately choreographed events and cause post-extubation dysphagia. Prolonged intubation, typically defined as longer than 48 hours in the literature, is thought to contribute to swallowing dysfunction. The objective of this study is to elucidated independent factors that predict the risk of dysphagia after prolonged orotraqueal intubation in Intensive Care Units patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study design was used. Participants were 148 consecutive patients who underwent clinical bedside swallowing assessment, from September 2009 to September 2011. All patients presented a history of prolonged orotraqueal intubation and were admitted in one of the several Intensive Care Units of a large Brazilian school hospital. The adopted inclusion criteria were: to present clinical and respiratory stability, to present more than 14 points on the Glasgow Coma Scale; age above 18 years; absence of tracheostomy; absence of neurologic diseases, absence of esophageal dysphagia; absence of surgical procedures involving the head and neck. Also, to be included in the study, patients had to undergo a clinical swallowing assessment within 48 hours after extubation. The statistical analysis included the correlation of the results obtained on a water swallow test and the risk level for dysphagia. RESULTS: Results indicated that altered cervical auscultation and presence of cough during water swallow tests increase the likelihood of dysphagia in patients who underwent prolonged orotracheal intubation. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate factors that predict the risk of dysphagia after prolonged orotraqueal intubation

Rehabilitative management of swallowing and oral-motor movements in patients with tetanus of a public service in Brazil

When looking at developing countries, the prolonged intensive medical and nursing care required by many patients places extra demands on an already stretched healthcare budget. The purpose of this study was to verify the effectiveness of a systematic rehabilitative program for swallowing and oral-motor movements in intensive care unit patients with the diagnosis of tetanus. Forty-five patients who were clinically diagnosed with tetanus were included in the study. Participants were divided in two groups: Cl - consisted of 18 tetanus patients who were consecutively admitted to the infectious disease ICU from January 2002 to December 2005, prior to the existence of a systematic swallowing and oral-motor intervention: GII - consisted of 27 tetanus patients who were consecutively admitted to the infectious disease ICU from January 2006 to December 2009 and were submitted to a specific rehabilitative management of swallowing and of the oral-motor movements. Results indicate that the proposed rehabilitative program reduced by approximately 50% the time patients remained in the ICU. The significant improvement observed in patients with tetanus who were submitted to the rehabilitative program for swallowing and oral-motor movements occurred in conjunction with a reduction in the amount of time necessary to reintroduce oral feeding, to decannulate and to remove the feeding tubes. In conclusion, swallowing/muscle exercise, in patients with severe/very severe tetanus, seem to promote the remission of muscle tension and seem to maximize functional swallowing. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Correlation between the severity of critically ill patients and clinical predictors of bronchial aspiration

Objective: To determine whether the severity of non-neurological critically ill patients correlates with clinical predictors of bronchial aspiration. Methods: We evaluated adults undergoing prolonged orotracheal intubation (> 48 h) and bedside swallowing assessment within the first 48 h after extubation. We collected data regarding the risk of bronchial aspiration performed by a speech-language pathologist, whereas data regarding the functional level of swallowing were collected with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System (ASHA NOMS) scale and those regarding health status were collected with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). Results: The study sample comprised 150 patients. For statistical analyses, the patients were grouped by ASHA NOMS score: ASHA1 (levels 1 and 2), ASHA2 (levels 3 to 5); and ASHA3 (levels 6 and 7). In comparison with the other patients, those in the ASHA3 group were significantly younger, remained intubated for fewer days, and less severe overall clinical health status (SOFA score). The clinical predictors of bronchial aspiration that best characterized the groups were abnormal cervical auscultation findings and cough after swallowing. None of the patients in the ASHA 3 group presented with either of those signs. Conclusions: Critically ill patients 55 years of age or older who undergo prolonged orotracheal intubation (≥ 6 days), have a SOFA score ≥ 5, have a Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 14, and present with abnormal cervical auscultation findings or cough after swallowing should be prioritized for a full speech pathology assessment

Comparação dos aspectos funcionais da deglutição e indicadores clínicos em pacientes com traumatismo cranioencefálico em UTI

RESUMO Objetivo caracterizar e comparar os aspectos funcionais da deglutição e indicadores clínicos na população com traumatismo cranioencefálico (TCE) em unidade de terapia intensiva. Método Participaram do estudo 113 adultos com diagnóstico de TCE. As etapas de coleta de dados envolveram: a avaliação fonoaudiológica clínica do risco de broncoaspiração, determinação do nível funcional da deglutição (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System – ASHA NOMS), determinação da gravidade clínica do indivíduo de acordo com a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). Resultados Após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão, os pacientes selecionados foram agrupados de acordo com os níveis funcionais de deglutição: níveis 1 e 2 – ASHA1 (n=25); níveis 3, 4 e 5 – ASHA2 (n=37); níveis 6 e 7 – ASHA3 (n=51). As análises estatísticas indicaram os seguintes resultados significantes: o grupo ASHA3 apresentou menor gravidade do TCE no momento da avaliação fonoaudiológica, menor tempo de intubação orotraqueal (um terço a menos que o grupo mais grave), ficou menos tempo hospitalizado e necessitou de menos sessões de atendimento fonoaudiológico para o retorno seguro para via oral de alimentação. Os sinais clínicos preditores de broncoaspiração que mais diferenciaram os grupos foi a presença de ausculta cervical alterada e presença de tosse após a deglutição, sendo que o grupo ASHA3 apresentou esses sinais com menor frequência. Conclusão O escore SOFA e o tempo de intubação orotraqueal foram indicadores do prognóstico da funcionalidade da deglutição. A presença ausculta cervical alterada e tosse foram preditores clínicos de disfagia