Understanding swallowing difficulties in patients after heart surgery
Official title: Mechanisms, predictors and clinical markers of dysphagia in cardiac surgical patients
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11223638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some people have trouble swallowing after heart surgery, and it aims to find ways to spot and help these issues early on, so patients can recover better and avoid problems like malnutrition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 10, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $623,363 |
| NIH project number | 7R01NR020175-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11223638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are undergoing cardiac surgical procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing cardiac surgery or those with pre-existing swallowing disorders unrelated to cardiac surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the causes and clinical markers of dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties, in patients who have undergone cardiac surgery. It aims to identify risk factors and develop tools for early detection and monitoring of dysphagia to improve patient care. By enrolling 360 cardiac surgical patients, the study will explore the physiological mechanisms behind swallowing impairment and create a proactive care model to address these issues effectively. The goal is to enhance recovery and reduce complications such as malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved detection and management of swallowing difficulties in cardiac surgery patients, ultimately reducing complications and enhancing recovery.
How similar studies have gone: While dysphagia is a recognized complication in various surgical settings, this specific approach targeting cardiac surgery patients is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Plowman, Emily Kate — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Plowman, Emily Kate
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Wearable biofeedback device to help swallowing after neurologic injury
This project helps people with swallowing problems from neurologic conditions use a small wearable sensor that shows neck muscle activity to guide exercises and improve swallowing.
-
Reducing Burden for Care Partners of People with Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
This project tests a user-friendly Web tool to help care partners of people with dementia manage oropharyngeal dysphagia and reduce daily caregiving burden.
-
InHANCE: Radiation-Related Swallowing Difficulty in Head and Neck Cancer
A patient-focused program aims to understand and reduce swallowing problems caused by radiation therapy in head and neck cancer survivors.
-
Non-Invasive Dysphagia Detection for Preterm Infants
A new non-invasive tool analyzes a premature baby’s bottle feeding behavior to detect swallowing difficulties early.
-
Web program to help caregivers safely feed loved ones with dementia who have trouble swallowing
A web-based program to teach family caregivers how to manage swallowing problems and reduce the stress of feeding a loved one with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
-
Wearable biofeedback to improve swallowing after neurological diseases
A wearable biofeedback device helps adults with neurogenic dysphagia improve swallowing through guided exercises and remote coaching.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.