Risk of dysphagia after transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac operations

Dysphagia can be a significant complication following cardiac operations. This study evaluates its incidence and relationship to intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for specific indications versus known factors such as stroke or prolonged intubation.

Records of 838 consecutive cardiac surgical patients were reviewed, and categorized into those who received TEE for specific indications versus those who did not (nonTEE). Dysphagia was recorded when symptoms were confirmed by barium cineradiography. Multiple logistic regression identified significant factors causing dysphagia.

TEE was significantly related to the development of postoperative dysphagia by multiple logistic regression (p < 0.001). After controlling for other significant factors (stroke, left ventricular ejection fraction, intubation time, duration of operation), the odds of dysphagia for TEE patients was 7.8 times greater than for nonTEE patients.

TEE may be an independent risk factor for dysphagia following cardiac operations.