Risk of dysphagia after transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac operations

Background. Dysphagia can be a significant complication following cardiac o perations. This study evaluates its incidence and relationship to intraoper ative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for specific indications versu s known factors such as stroke or prolonged intubation. Methods. Records of 838 consecutive cardiac surgical patients were reviewed , and categorized into those who received TEE for specific indications vers us those who did not (nonTEE). Dysphagia was recorded when symptoms were co nfirmed by barium cineradiography. Multiple logistic regression identified significant factors causing dysphagia. Results. TEE was significantly related to the development of postoperative dysphagia by multiple logistic regression (p < 0.001). After controlling fo r other significant factors (stroke, left ventricular ejection fraction, in tubation time, duration of operation), the odds of dysphagia for TEE patien ts was 7.8 times greater than for nonTEE patients. Conclusions. TEE may be an independent risk factor for dysphagia following cardiac operations. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.