Association Between Postextubation Dysphagia and Long-Term Mortality Among Critically Ill Older Adults.

Background: Dysphagia following extubation is common in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Diagnosing postextubation dysphagia allows identification of patients who are at highest risk for aspiration and its associated adverse outcomes. Older adults are at an increased risk of postextubation dysphagia and its complications due to multiple comorbidities, a higher baseline risk of dysphagia, and increased risk of pneumonia.