ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Post-extubation dysphagia deserves attention because it places patients at risk following extubation, especially critically ill patients in intensive care unit. However, there are limited studies of post-extubation dysphagia in the early stages after extubation. AIMS: To investigate the incidence and factors associated with post-extubation dysphagia among patients in intensive care unit within 24 h of extubation. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective descriptive study was carried out with 173 adult patients in intensive care unit with tracheal extubation at a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China. The Gugging Swallowing Screen was used to evaluate the swallowing function of patients 1, 4 and 24 h after extubation. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from medical records. RESULTS: The incidence of post-extubation dysphagia in patients within 1, 4 and 24 h after extubation was 86.71% (n = 150), 63.01% (n = 109) and 43.35% (n = 75), respectively. The risk factors included older age (OR = 1.057, 95%CI [1.039, 1.072], p < .001), cardiovascular disease (OR = 0.098, 95%CI [0.082, 0.127], p = .012), thyroid dysfunction (OR = 5.042, 95%CI [1.527, 13.684], p < .001), non-post-operative admission (OR = 3.186, 95%CI [1.142, 14.422], p = .036), mechanical ventilation duration >48 h (OR = 3.558, 95%CI [1.217, 10.385], p = .020), intubation duration >24 h (OR = 0.533, 95%CI [0.278, 0.898], p = .048) and intubation model size ≤7 (OR = 0.327, 95%CI [0.158, 0.788], p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a high incidence of post-extubation dysphagia in critical patients in the 24 h after extubation, with the incidence decreasing over time. Screening of early post-extubation dysphagia after extubation is needed, but the specific evaluation time point requires further investigation. Patients with older age, cerebrovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, post-operative admission, longer mechanical ventilation time, thicker intubation models and longer intubation time have a higher risk of the occurrence of post-extubation dysphagia. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The incidence of post-extubation dysphagia is very high in the early stage. Within 24 h after extubation, the patient's swallowing function should be actively evaluated, and the occurrence of aspiration should be vigilant. Patients with older age, cerebrovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, post-operative admission, longer mechanical ventilation time, thicker intubation models and longer intubation time should receive more attention.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Postoperative hyperglycaemia has been shown to have adverse effects on patients after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). However, whether glucose variability has an effect on patients' outcomes is still uncertain. The aim of this study is to explore the effects of glucose variability on short-term outcomes in non-diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study utilising data collected after patients had left the hospital. This study was performed on 137 non-diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting from January 2011 to June 2013. Blood glucose at 72hours post operation was obtained and glucose variability was measured by mean postoperative blood glucose and mean of daily difference (MODD). Short-term outcomes included duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mechanical ventilation time, length of hospital stay, and occurrence of arrhythmia. Patients with mean postoperative blood glucose ≥7.00mmol/L were defined as hyperglycaemic, and patients with MODD ≥1.40mmol/L were considered to be abnormal. Outcome variables were compared between patients in euglycaemic and hyperglycaemic groups, and between patients in normal and abnormal groups. RESULTS: In our study, patients with hyperglycaemia spent more time staying in ICU (p<0.01), and patients with large glucose variability (abnormal MODD) had higher incidences of arrhythmia (23% vs 4.2%, p<0.05). Regression analysis showed that MODD can affect occurrence of arrhythmia (p=0.004) and that mean postoperative blood glucose levels can affect duration of ICU stay (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients' postoperative glucose variability after CABG is an important predictor of the negative outcomes regarding duration of ICU stay and occurrence of arrhythmia. Large glucose variability can have negative effects on short-term outcomes in patients.
