Cardiovascular DiseasesNCT05304416
Clinical Markers of Dysphagia in Cardiac Surgical Patients
An observational study of Cardiovascular Diseases and Dysphagia, run by University of Florida at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
Although dysphagia is a known complication of cardiac surgery, risk factors and sensitive bedside clinical markers of dysphagia have not yet been identified. This longitudinal study will enroll 380 cardiac surgical patients and identify contributing risk factors of incident cases of dysphagia and identify sensitive… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 90 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cardiovascular Diseases, Dysphagia
- What is being tested?
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam (VFSS)
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- How many people
- 347 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 7 Jun 2022to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 90 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Up to 380 patients being seen at the University of Florida (UF) Heart and Vascular Hospital (HVN) will make up the local convenience sample of eligible CS patients for this study.
Who may be able to join
- Individuals 18-90 years of age
- Undergoing planned or emergent cardiothoracic surgery via sternotomy and/or extended thoracotomy at the University of Florida Heart and Vascular Hospital
- Not pregnant
- Willing to participate in research exams.
Who cannot join
- Pregnant women
- Those unwilling to participate in research exams.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
United States2 sites
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio, 43212
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, 32610
About this study
Official title: Mechanisms, Predictors & Clinical Markers of Dysphagia in Cardiac Surgical Patients_R01
Although dysphagia is a known complication of cardiac surgery, risk factors and sensitive bedside clinical markers of dysphagia have not yet been identified. This longitudinal study will enroll 380 cardiac surgical patients and identify contributing risk factors of incident cases of dysphagia and identify sensitive bedside markers of dysphagia. Statistical modeling will produce two pragmatic clinical tools - a risk prediction model and a beside screening tool to improve care models.
Read the detailed description
Swallowing impairment and VFMI are common, yet often overlooked, complications of cardiovascular surgical procedures. The true incidence of both dysphagia and VFMI in this patient population is unclear due to a lack of rigorous study using instrumental assessment techniques and validated outcomes in all patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. The study is therefore aimed to determine the incidence of dysphagia and VFMI in this patient population and to characterize impairment profiles related to swallowing safety and efficiency. In addition, the study is also aimed to assess the relative impact of VFMI and dysphagia on health-related outcomes such as length of hospital stay, pneumonia, sepsis, reintubation, and discharge status. The study will identify risk factors for postoperative dysphagia and VFMI in cardiovascular patients to build a practical electronic risk-stratification tool. The study will also aim to identify sensitive bedside clinical markers of dysphagia in postoperative cardiovascular patients to develop a bedside screening tool. All participants with planned surgeries will undergo two research visits (one preoperatively and one postoperatively) where they will undergo an instrumental swallowing test and complete several patient report outcomes and clinical tests. If they are found to have dysphagia after surgery, they will be offered no-cost follow-up swallow tests at months 1 and 6. For those without planned surgeries, the same course of tests with the exception of the preoperative research visit will be completed. Finally, health-related outcomes will be indexed in enrolled participants to determine the impact of dysphagia.
- Conditions
- Cardiovascular Diseases, Dysphagia
- Being tested
- Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam, Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam (VFSS), Voluntary Cough Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) Testing, Reflex Cough Screen
- Keywords
- Cardiac surgery, Dysphagia, Extubation, Vocal Fold Mobility Impairment, Peak Cough Flow (PCF)
- Medical subject headings
- Cardiovascular Diseases, Deglutition Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of SwallowingDiagnostic test
Also called FEES
This procedure involves inserting a flexible laryngoscope that contains a light source and video camera on the end through the open passage of the nose towards the back of the throat in order to visualize the swallowing mechanism.
Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing examDiagnostic test
Also called Endofluoroscopy
This procedure involves inserting a flexible laryngoscope that contains a light source and video camera on the end through the open passage of the nose towards the back of the throat in order to visualize the swallowing mechanism. The participant will be asked to perform some voicing tasks, once completed, a videofluoroscopic swallowing exam will occur at the same time. This is like a moving x-ray of the participant swallowing foods and liquids (barium).
Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam (VFSS)Diagnostic test
Also called Modified barium swallow study
This is like a moving x-ray of the participant swallowing foods and liquids (barium).
Voluntary Cough Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) TestingOther
Cough PEF will be performed to index a participant's physiologic airway defense capacity and strength. Testing will occur with the participant seated upright at 90 degrees using an analog peak flow meter with a one-way expiratory valve that prevents a participant from breathing air in from the device to reduce contamination.
Reflex Cough ScreenOther
Participants will be seated upright and administered reflex cough testing via a disposable adult aerosol mask with an attached nebulizer that contains a solution to elicit a cough response.
Lingual Pressure TestingOther
Lingual strength will be evaluated using the Iowa Oral Pressure Instrument (IOPI). Participants will be seated upright, and the SLP will place the IOPI air-filled sensing bulb in the midline anterior position on the participant's tongue, posterior to the alveolar ridge.
Speech TestingDiagnostic test
Speech assessment will occur with the participant comfortably seated headset microphone with a lapel windscreen connected to a TASCAM DR40 to allow for high-quality audio recordings. Individuals will be asked to perform two maximal performance speech tasks that include vowel prolongation of /a/, and a Diadochokinetic (DDK) rate task to examine SMR for production of the word "buttercup."
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Preoperative Exam | All enrolled participants will undergo a baseline Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) or a Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam before their surgery to determine baseline / preoperative swallowing function. Those with confirmed dysphagia will not be asked to complete the postoperative swallowing exam, given our desire to examine contributing risk factors for dysphagia development and mechanisms within cardiovascular surgical patients. In addition to the instrumental exam, systematic collection of demographic, medical, surgical, and intubation-related candidate predictor variables will be conducted over the entire perioperative period. Receives: Diagnostic Test: Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing; Diagnostic Test: Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam; Diagnostic Test: Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam (VFSS) | |
| Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Postoperative Exam | Participants without preoperative dysphagia will be seen for a postop exam within 72 hours of extubation. Simultaneous imaging using FEES and videofluoroscopy (or a FEES or VFSS exam in isolation) will be performed at the bedside, as well as a battery of clinical tests. Completion of these postoperative tests will indicate study completion for participants without evidence of dysphagia, while participants who demonstrate acute-phase postoperative dysphagia will continue to participate if they desire. During their standard of care one-month follow-up appointment, a third research evaluation will be offered for participants with previously identified postoperative dysphagia. During this exam, the same imaging and clinical tests from the previous research exam will be performed. Finally, participants with persisting dysphagia will be offered the opportunity to continue to be studied for a fourth and final research exam during their standard of care six-month follow-up clinic visit. Receives: Diagnostic Test: Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing; Diagnostic Test: Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam; Diagnostic Test: Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam (VFSS); Other: Voluntary Cough Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) Testing; Other: Reflex Cough Screen; Other: Lingual Pressure Testing; Diagnostic Test: Speech Testing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Penetration Aspiration Scale
This scale is a validated measure used by trained blinded clinicians to assign ratings of safety to swallowing bolus trials. The development and use of an 8-point, equal-appearing interval scale (8 being best; 1 being worst) to describe penetration and aspiration events are described. Scores are determined primarily by the depth to which material passes in the airway and by whether or not material entering the airway is expelled. (Simultaneous or FEES exam)
Measured: Baseline (Prior to surgery)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Penetration Aspiration Scale
This scale is a validated measure used by trained blinded clinicians to assign ratings of safety to swallowing bolus trials. The development and use of an 8-point, equal-appearing interval scale (8 being best; 1 being worst) to describe penetration and aspiration events are described. Scores are determined primarily by the depth to which material passes in the airway and by whether or not material entering the airway is expelled. (Used in Simultaneous, FEES, or VFSS)
Measured: Follow-up - Within 72 hours following extubation from surgery and onward
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Mar 2022
- Study start7 Jun 2022
- Primary completion31 Jul 2026
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cardiovascular DiseasesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of FloridaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 347 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Florida
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Ohio State University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Emily K Plowman, PhD, CCC-SLP, Principal investigator, Ohio State University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05304416
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB202200709
- Other IDs
- R01NR020175
- Status last verified
- Oct 2025
- First submitted
- 21 Mar 2022
- Last updated
- 6 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Mechanisms, Predictors & Clinical Markers of Dysphagia in Cardiac Surgical Patients_R01
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05304416
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB202200709
- Conditions
- Cardiovascular Diseases, Dysphagia
- Keywords
- Cardiac surgery, Dysphagia, Extubation, Vocal Fold Mobility Impairment, Peak Cough Flow (PCF)
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 347 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of FloridaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), Ohio State University
- Study start
- 7 Jun 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 31 Mar 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Although dysphagia is a known complication of cardiac surgery, risk factors and sensitive bedside clinical markers of dysphagia have not yet been identified. This longitudinal study will enroll 380 cardiac surgical patients and identify contributing risk factors of incident cases of dysphagia and identify sensitive bedside markers of dysphagia. Statistical modeling will produce two pragmatic clinical tools - a risk prediction model and a beside screening tool to improve care models.
Detailed description
Swallowing impairment and VFMI are common, yet often overlooked, complications of cardiovascular surgical procedures. The true incidence of both dysphagia and VFMI in this patient population is unclear due to a lack of rigorous study using instrumental assessment techniques and validated outcomes in all patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. The study is therefore aimed to determine the incidence of dysphagia and VFMI in this patient population and to characterize impairment profiles related to swallowing safety and efficiency. In addition, the study is also aimed to assess the relative impact of VFMI and dysphagia on health-related outcomes such as length of hospital stay, pneumonia, sepsis, reintubation, and discharge status. The study will identify risk factors for postoperative dysphagia and VFMI in cardiovascular patients to build a practical electronic risk-stratification tool. The study will also aim to identify sensitive bedside clinical markers of dysphagia in postoperative cardiovascular patients to develop a bedside screening tool. All participants with planned surgeries will undergo two research visits (one preoperatively and one postoperatively) where they will undergo an instrumental swallowing test and complete several patient report outcomes and clinical tests. If they are found to have dysphagia after surgery, they will be offered no-cost follow-up swallow tests at months 1 and 6. For those without planned surgeries, the same course of tests with the exception of the preoperative research visit will be completed. Finally, health-related outcomes will be indexed in enrolled participants to determine the impact of dysphagia.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Preoperative Exam | – | Diagnostic Test: Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, Diagnostic Test: Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam, Diagnostic Test: Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam (VFSS)All enrolled participants will undergo a baseline Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) or a Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam before their surgery to determine baseline / preoperative swallowing function. Those with confirmed dysphagia will not be asked to complete the postoperative swallowing exam, given our desire to examine contributing risk factors for dysphagia development and mechanisms within cardiovascular surgical patients. In addition to the instrumental exam, systematic collection of demographic, medical, surgical, and intubation-related candidate predictor variables will be conducted over the entire perioperative period. |
| Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Postoperative Exam | – | Diagnostic Test: Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, Diagnostic Test: Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam, Diagnostic Test: Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam (VFSS), Other: Voluntary Cough Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) Testing, Other: Reflex Cough Screen, Other: Lingual Pressure Testing, Diagnostic Test: Speech TestingParticipants without preoperative dysphagia will be seen for a postop exam within 72 hours of extubation. Simultaneous imaging using FEES and videofluoroscopy (or a FEES or VFSS exam in isolation) will be performed at the bedside, as well as a battery of clinical tests. Completion of these postoperative tests will indicate study completion for participants without evidence of dysphagia, while participants who demonstrate acute-phase postoperative dysphagia will continue to participate if they desire. During their standard of care one-month follow-up appointment, a third research evaluation will be offered for participants with previously identified postoperative dysphagia. During this exam, the same imaging and clinical tests from the previous research exam will be performed. Finally, participants with persisting dysphagia will be offered the opportunity to continue to be studied for a fourth and final research exam during their standard of care six-month follow-up clinic visit. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 90 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Up to 380 patients being seen at the University of Florida (UF) Heart and Vascular Hospital (HVN) will make up the local convenience sample of eligible CS patients for this study.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals 18-90 years of age
- Undergoing planned or emergent cardiothoracic surgery via sternotomy and/or extended thoracotomy at the University of Florida Heart and Vascular Hospital
- Not pregnant
- Willing to participate in research exams.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Pregnant women
- Those unwilling to participate in research exams.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of SwallowingAlso: FEESThis procedure involves inserting a flexible laryngoscope that contains a light source and video camera on the end through the open passage of the nose towards the back of the throat in order to visualize the swallowing mechanism. | Diagnostic test | Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Postoperative Exam, Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Preoperative Exam |
| Simultaneous FEES and Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing examAlso: EndofluoroscopyThis procedure involves inserting a flexible laryngoscope that contains a light source and video camera on the end through the open passage of the nose towards the back of the throat in order to visualize the swallowing mechanism. The participant will be asked to perform some voicing tasks, once completed, a videofluoroscopic swallowing exam will occur at the same time. This is like a moving x-ray of the participant swallowing foods and liquids (barium). | Diagnostic test | Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Postoperative Exam, Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Preoperative Exam |
| Videofluoroscopy instrumental swallowing exam (VFSS)Also: Modified barium swallow studyThis is like a moving x-ray of the participant swallowing foods and liquids (barium). | Diagnostic test | Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Postoperative Exam, Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Preoperative Exam |
| Voluntary Cough Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) TestingCough PEF will be performed to index a participant's physiologic airway defense capacity and strength. Testing will occur with the participant seated upright at 90 degrees using an analog peak flow meter with a one-way expiratory valve that prevents a participant from breathing air in from the device to reduce contamination. | Other | Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Postoperative Exam |
| Reflex Cough ScreenParticipants will be seated upright and administered reflex cough testing via a disposable adult aerosol mask with an attached nebulizer that contains a solution to elicit a cough response. | Other | Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Postoperative Exam |
| Lingual Pressure TestingLingual strength will be evaluated using the Iowa Oral Pressure Instrument (IOPI). Participants will be seated upright, and the SLP will place the IOPI air-filled sensing bulb in the midline anterior position on the participant's tongue, posterior to the alveolar ridge. | Other | Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Postoperative Exam |
| Speech TestingSpeech assessment will occur with the participant comfortably seated headset microphone with a lapel windscreen connected to a TASCAM DR40 to allow for high-quality audio recordings. Individuals will be asked to perform two maximal performance speech tasks that include vowel prolongation of /a/, and a Diadochokinetic (DDK) rate task to examine SMR for production of the word "buttercup." | Diagnostic test | Cardiovascular Surgical Patients Postoperative Exam |
Primary outcome
Penetration Aspiration Scale
Time frame: Baseline (Prior to surgery)
This scale is a validated measure used by trained blinded clinicians to assign ratings of safety to swallowing bolus trials. The development and use of an 8-point, equal-appearing interval scale (8 being best; 1 being worst) to describe penetration and aspiration events are described. Scores are determined primarily by the depth to which material passes in the airway and by whether or not material entering the airway is expelled. (Simultaneous or FEES exam)
1 secondary outcome
Penetration Aspiration Scale
Time frame: Follow-up - Within 72 hours following extubation from surgery and onward
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Emily K Plowman, PhD, CCC-SLP principal investigator
Ohio State University
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cardiovascular Diseases and Dysphagia, run by University of Florida at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Penetration Aspiration Scale (time frame: Baseline (Prior to surgery)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Aug 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.