Dysphagia following prolonged mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy in critical ill patients. results of edisval study pilot phase

Introduction Available data shows that dysphagia and swallowing disorder rate secondary to artificial airway and prolonged mechanical ventilation in critical tracheostomized patients is high (50-83%), nevertheless it real incidence is not yet well established. Dysphagia is directly related to bronchial aspirations and respiratory infections. The rate of respiratory infections on tracheostomized patients is also very high (Some series next 100%). The re-establishment of airway using speaking valves allow the rehabilitation and post-recovery of those disorders, as well as deglutition and phonatory system rehabilitation. The aim of EDISVAL Study is to determine the usefulness of speaking valve in preventing respiratory nosocomial infections in critical tracheostomized patients diagnosed of dysphagia secondary to artificial airway, for what it was done a screening test of dysphagia to the critical tracheostomized patients.