ICU-related dysphagia

Abstract

In intensive care medicine dysphagia is an extremely frequent symptom which has a significant impact on the patients’ overall prognosis. The causes of dysphagia in the critically ill can be differentiated into three etiological categories. Dysphagia may be associated with the main diagnosis leading to ICU treatment, can be due to preexisting comorbidities, and may occur as a consequence of the ICU treatment itself. Diagnostic procedures guiding appropriate nutritional management and decisions focusing on airway safety include clinical testing as well as instrumental assessments, in particular FEES. This chapter describes specific diagnostic workflows applicable to the situation on the ICU.