Predictors of Prolonged Dysphagia Following Acute Stroke

Dysphagia following acute stroke can be a serious threat to one's health because of the risk of aspiration pneumonia malnutrition dehydration weight loss and airway obstruction. There is an evidence that early enteral feeding via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is both beneficial and safe. These results indicated that it is potentially possible to identify those patients who have prolonged significant dysphagia following acute stroke at an early time point. This would allow the judicious use of early PEG to avoid aspiration pneumonia and for better nutrition.