Anesthesiology
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Prolonged mechanical ventilation is associated with muscle weakness, pharyngeal dysfunction, and symptomatic aspiration. The authors hypothesized that muscle strength measurements can be used to predict pharyngeal dysfunction (endoscopic evaluation-primary hypothesis), as well as symptomatic aspiration occurring during a 3-month follow-up period. ⋯ In critically ill patients, muscle weakness is an independent predictor of pharyngeal dysfunction and symptomatic aspiration. Manual muscle strength testing may help identify patients at risk of symptomatic aspiration.