Incidence Of Chronic Renal Failure Research Articles

Detection of ABH Antigen in Sudanese Patients with Chronic Renal Failure in Shendi Town, Sudan

Background: Patients suffering from chronic renal failure have significant challenges in their social and economic lives. In Sudan, the annual incidence of chronic renal failure is between 70 and 140 cases per million, and until more is done to address this illness, the problem is likely to persist. Blood group types appear to be associated with secretor status and certain disorders, in addition to the main therapeutic significance of the ABO blood group to organ transplantation and blood transfusions. Objective: To determine the prevalence of ABO and secretor status, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among Sudanese patients receiving hemodialysis for chronic renal failure disease at the kidney treatment and surgical center in Shendi City between August and December 2021. Materials and Methods: Fifty samples total from patients with chronic renal failure were taken; of these, 42% were female and 58% were male. Two milliliters of venous blood and three milliliters of saliva were collected in sterile containers and EDTA anticoagulant containers, respectively. Slides were used to do ABO grouping, and absorption inhibition was used to determine secretor status. Results: 44% of patients with CKD were blood group O, 38% were blood group A, 16% were blood group B, and 2% were blood group AB. The data also revealed that 68% of patients with CKD were non-secretors and 32% were secretors. According to the study, there was a decrease in the frequency of the Se gene compared to the Se gene. The homozygous genotype SeSe was found to be 3%, the heterozygous genotype Sese to be 29%, and the recessive genotype Sese to be 68%. Additionally, the blood groups O and A have a higher risk of renal failure. Conclusions: Blood group O was the highest frequency among patients receiving hemodialysis for chronic renal failure, followed by blood groups A and B, while blood group AB was the least prevalent. The non-secretors had a higher genotype frequency. Renal failure is more common among non-secretors.

Effects of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists for Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Mineralocorticoid receptor blockade could be a potential approach for the inhibition of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. The benefits and harms of different mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) in CKD are inconsistent. Objectives: The aim of the study was to summarize the benefits and harms of MRAs for CKD patients. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases for trials assessing the effects of MRAs on non-dialysis-dependent CKD populations. Treatment and adverse effects were summarized using meta-analysis. Results: Fifty-three trials with 6 different MRAs involving 22,792 participants were included. Compared with the control group, MRAs reduced urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (weighted mean difference [WMD], −90.90 mg/g, 95% CI, −140.17 to −41.64 mg/g), 24-h urinary protein excretion (WMD, −0.20 g, 95% CI, −0.28 to −0.12 g), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (WMD, −1.99 mL/min/1.73 m², 95% CI, −3.28 to −0.70 mL/min/1.73 m²), chronic renal failure events (RR, 0.86, 95% CI, 0.79–0.93), and cardiovascular events (RR, 0.84, 95% CI, 0.77–0.92). MRAs increased the incidence of hyperkalemia (RR, 2.04, 95% CI, 1.73–2.40) and hypotension (RR, 1.80, 95% CI, 1.41–2.31). MRAs reduced the incidence of peripheral edema (RR, 0.65, 95% CI, 0.56–0.75) but not the risk of acute kidney injury (RR, 0.94, 95% CI, 0.79–1.13). Nonsteroidal MRAs (RR, 0.66, 95% CI, 0.57–0.75) but not steroidal MRAs (RR, 0.20, 95% CI, 0.02–1.68) significantly reduced the risk of peripheral edema. Steroidal MRAs (RR, 5.68, 95% CI, 1.26–25.67) but not nonsteroidal MRAs (RR, 0.52, 95% CI, 0.22–1.22) increased the risk of breast disorders. Conclusions: In the CKD patients, MRAs, particularly in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker, reduced albuminuria/proteinuria, eGFR, and the incidence of chronic renal failure, cardiovascular and peripheral edema events, whereas increasing the incidence of hyperkalemia and hypotension, without the augment of acute kidney injury events. Nonsteroidal MRAs were superior in the reduction of more albuminuria with fewer peripheral edema events and without the augment of breast disorder events.

PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM: THE EFFECT OF SPECIFIC TREATMENT ON RENAL FUNCTION

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in eGFR in patients with idiopathic primary aldosteronism (IHA) and with aldosterone-secreting adenoma (APA) after specific therapy. Design and method: From January 2018 to March 2022, we consecutively enrolled 99 patients with PA distinguishing 75 with IHA (mean age 53.41±11.97 years) and 24 with PA (average age 48.79±8.96 years). We evaluated anthropometric, biochemicals and hemodynamic parameters at diagnosis and 12 months after pharmacological or surgical therapy. Results: Patients with IHA, pharmacologically treated with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), showed a higher incidence of chronic renal failure and a faster progression of renal damage than in patients with APA who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy. The reduction of eGFR was significantly greater in patients with IHA than in APA (92.03±17.58 vs 86.63±18.89 mL/min/1.73m2, p <0.001). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels and increased aldosterone-to-renin ratio were found to be independent predictors of renal function decline (ß = 0.034; p = 0.045 and ß = 0.248; p = 0.032, respectively). Conclusions: Our results show that patients with PA undergoing surgical treatment have a better renal outcome than those receiving drug therapy. An early diagnosis of APA would allow intervention before renal damage occurs.

Hubungan Hipertensi dengan Kejadian Gagal Ginjal Kronik di RSUD DR. Djasamen Saragih Kota Pematang Siantar Tahun 2020

Background: Chronic renal failure (CRF) had became a concern because of the increasing globally for incidence, prevalence, and mortality and hypertension was one of the main causes of CRF. magnitude of the risk of hypertension with chronic renal failure. This study aims to assess the magnitude of the risk of hypertension with chronic kidney failure at Dr. Djasamen Saragih City of Pematang Siantar.Methods: This research was an analytic observational study with a case control design. The research subjects were 260 kidney failure patients who were treated at RSUD Dr. Djasamen Saragih Kota Pematang Siantar with as many as 52 cases of patients diagnosed with chronic kidney failure by doctors who can be seen from medical records. As many as 208 hospital controls were patients without CRF (gastritis, gastroenteritis, hernia, and trauma or minor infections). The inclusion criteria of the study subjects were ≥ 18 years of age and had completed medical record data. The exclusion criteria for study subjects were if they had a history of kidney transplantation or a history of kidney transplantation and patients with incomplete medical records.Results: the results of the analysis of bivariate hypertension variables, patients aged > 45 years, patients with diabetes, patients with anemia, patients with gout, and patients with a history of kidney stones showed a relationship with the incidence of kidney failure. The multivariate results showed that the incidence of hypertension in patients with chronic renal failure was 5.52 times higher than those without chronic renal failure with an OR of 5.52 (95% CI: 2.10-14.53).Conclusion: Hypertension has a relationship with the incidence of chronic renal failure with an OR value of 5,52 (95% CI: 2.10-14.53).

In-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing emergent surgical treatment in patients with infective endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis is a serious heart disease that may cause several different clinical conditions and can need urgent surgical therapy. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the patients with infective endocarditis undergoing acute surgical treatment results in-hospital mortality. A total of 107 consecutive patients with infective endocarditis undergoing acute surgical therapy were included in our retrospective study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of in-hospital mortality as Group 1 without in-hospital mortality (n=89) and Group 2 with in-hospital mortality (n=18). The demographic, laboratory, and clinical parameters were evaluated in both groups. The mean age (50±14; 64±14, P<0.001) and the incidence of chronic renal failure (9 [10.1%]; 8 [44.4%], P=0.001) were higher in Group 2 while the ejection fraction was lower in Group 2 (50.0±9.3; 44.6±12.9, P=0.039). The incidence of positive blood culture was also higher in Group 2 (41 [46.1]; 14 [77.8], P=0.014). Aortic bioprosthesis operation (2 [2.2]; 6 [33.3], P<0.001) and mitral bioprosthesis operation (4 [4.5]; 5 [27.8], P=0.008) were higher in Group 2 as well as the incidence of septic shock was also higher in Group 2 (1 [1.1]; 3 [16.7], P=0.015). In addition, in multivariate logistic regression analyses, advanced age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.068, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.009-1.130, P: 0.024) and positive blood culture (OR: 4.436, 95% CI: 1.044-18.848, P: 0.044) were found to be independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Advanced age, lower ejection fraction, high creatinine, positive blood culture, high systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and septic shock predicted in-hospital death in patients who have undergone emergent or urgent surgery due to infective endocarditis.

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in elderly patients with head and neck cancer: a\xa0monoinstitutional, two-to-one pair-matching analysis

PurposeAbout one fifth of patients with head and neck cancer are aged 70 years and older at the time of diagnosis. In these patients, risk factors (R1 status or extracapsular extension of lymph node metastases, ECE) often lead to a need for combined chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in the postoperative setting. However, there is considerable concern about the toxicity of such therapy in this age group.MethodsRetrospective evaluation of the data of 53 patients ≥ 70 years of age who underwent surgery in our hospital between 1999 and 2015 for tumors of the oral cavity, the oropharynx, the hypopharynx, or the larynx, who subsequently received adjuvant radiation therapy. Two younger patients (< 70 years) were assigned to each of the elderly patients in a matching procedure based on anatomic sublocalization and tumor stage. The total cohort was comprised of 154 patients.ResultsUnivariate analyses revealed a statistically significant influence of many factors on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), including Karnofsky performance score (KPS), alcohol consumption, smoking, R status, ECE, chemotherapy, and discontinuation of RT. Younger patients had better OS and PFS compared to the elderly (p = 0.013 and 0.012, respectively). In a multivariate Cox regression, no independent influence of age on OS and PFS was found. Survival was primarily dependent on the addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy (RT), application of the full course of RT, continued alcohol abuse, KPS, and the presence of ECE. Toxicity analysis showed a higher incidence of chronic renal failure but, generally, side effects for elderly patients were not substantially greater.ConclusionPerformance status and behavioral risk factors but not chronological age are crucial for the prognosis of patients who require adjuvant chemoradiation.

Renal Dysfunction After Liver Transplantation: a Single Center Study

Objectives: Mongolia is known as one of the countries with a high prevalence of viral hepatitis infection and its related liver cirrhosis and HCC. Therefor, liver transplantation (LT) surgery increases from year to year in Mongolia. Our goal was to evaluate post-transplant renal dysfunction (PTRD) and to investigate the predicting factors for renal dysfunction after LT. Methods: The impact of graft ischemic time, peri- and postoperative blood product transfusion, perioperative hemodynamics, time to extubating, intensive care length of stay, incidence of chronic renal failure, and mortality and morbidity were examined alone and then as a combined outcome. Results: Early renal dysfunction was identified by measuring serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate. In our investigation which was a study group of patients following liver transplantation (LT), the following renal dysfunctions were found: 39% of recipients in the study had renal dysfunction, while the rest had no renal dysfunction. The average creatinine level of the recipients who had a renal dysfunction after LT, was 0.825 ± 0.24 mg/dl and the glomerular filtration rate was 111 ± 36.3 ml/min, and statistically significant. Conclusion: Preoperative kidney function plays a crucial role for postoperative renal dysfunction.

Retrospective Study on the Influencing Factors and Prediction of Hospitalization Expenses for Chronic Renal Failure in China Based on Random Forest and LASSO Regression.

Aim: With the improvement in people's living standards, the incidence of chronic renal failure (CRF) is increasing annually. The increase in the number of patients with CRF has significantly increased pressure on China's medical budget. Predicting hospitalization expenses for CRF can provide guidance for effective allocation and control of medical costs. The purpose of this study was to use the random forest (RF) method and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to predict personal hospitalization expenses of hospitalized patients with CRF and to evaluate related influencing factors.Methods: The data set was collected from the first page of data of the medical records of three tertiary first-class hospitals for the whole year of 2016. Factors influencing hospitalization expenses for CRF were analyzed. Random forest and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression models were used to establish a prediction model for the hospitalization expenses of patients with CRF, and comparisons and evaluations were carried out.Results: For CRF inpatients, statistically significant differences in hospitalization expenses were found for major procedures, medical payment method, hospitalization frequency, length of stay, number of other diagnoses, and number of procedures. The R2 of LASSO regression model and RF regression model are 0.6992 and 0.7946, respectively. The mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) of the LASSO regression model were 0.0268 and 0.043, respectively, and the MAE and RMSE of the RF prediction model were 0.0171 and 0.0355, respectively. In the RF model, and the weight of length of stay was the highest (0.730).Conclusions: The hospitalization expenses of patients with CRF are most affected by length of stay. The RF prediction model is superior to the LASSO regression model and can be used to predict the hospitalization expenses of patients with CRF. Health administration departments may consider formulating accurate individualized hospitalization expense reimbursement mechanisms accordingly.

Role of multislice computed tomography in evaluation of thoracic complications in patients with chronic renal failure

Background The incidence of chronic renal failure (CRF) is increasing worldwide. With the expanded use of hemodialysis treatment and extended life of patients with chronic renal failure, large numbers of thoracic complication of CRF patients are being increased. The radiological findings of the thoracic complications in patients with CRF are multiple. Aim To study the role of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in the evaluation of thoracic complications in patients with CRF. Patients and methods A total of 30 patients with CRF who presented with chest diseases were included in this study (13 females and 17 males). All patients underwent detailed history taking, clinical examination, laboratory studies, and MSCT examination. Results Pleural effusion was the most common complication found in 19 (63.3%) patients, pulmonary infection was the second most common complication detected in 16 (53.3%) patients, followed by mediastinal lymphadenopathy presented in six (20%) patients, pulmonary nodules presented in six (20%) patients, pericardial effusion presented in four (13.3%) patients, pulmonary thromboembolism, hydropneumothorax, vascular calcification, and pleural thickening presented in three (10%) patients each, then, cardiomegaly presented in two (6.7%) patients, and finally, lung cancer presented in one (3.3%) patient. Conclusion MSCT was effective to illuminate a wide spectrum of thoracic complications in symptomatic patients with CRF and was the most sensitive imaging modality for detection of these complications.

An evaluation of the current status of kidney transplant in terms of the type of receipt among Iranian patients

IntroductionWith the increasing prevalence and incidence of chronic renal failure leading to advanced kidney disease (ESRD), the use of renal transplant therapy is increasing globally. The aim of this study was to determine the status of kidney transplant in patients during a period of 4–5 years.Materials and methodsIn this retrospective, analytical study, patients undergoing renal transplant at one of the hospitals in northern Iran were studied. The data was collected using a checklist assessing the required information, including the age, sex, place of residence, source of the kidney for transplant (living related, living non-related, deceased), kidney receiving method (donated, purchased), and wait time for a kidney transplant.ResultsA total of 228 patients were included in the study, of which 73.7% were male and 26.3% were female. The average wait time for kidney transplant was 386.22 days. The mean age of patients was 32.7 ± 10.7 years. In addition, living non-related (66.2%) and deceased (14%) were the most and least frequent sources of kidney transplant, respectively. Moreover, 51.8% of all transplanted kidneys were purchased.ConclusionOver the past 5 years, there has been a decrease in wait time for kidney transplant in Rasht, Iran. Factors, such as being female, lower age, and living in urban areas, are related to a shorter wait time for kidney transplant. The most common types of kidney transplant are from non-related donors and purchased.

HUBUNGAN TINDAKAN HEMODIALISIS DENGAN KUALITAS HIDUP PADA PASIEN GAGAL GINJAL KRONIK DI RUANGAN HEMODIALISA DI RSU SEMBIRING

“Chronic kidney failure is a public health problem in the world, where the incidence of chronic renal failure is increasing every year. The increasing number of patients suffering from chronic renal failure will also increase the number of patients undergoing hemodialysis.hemodialysis is a way to replace the work that is usually done by the kidneys, namely cleaning the blood from metabolic waste, toxic substances and removing water deposits in the body. In this study, researchers used a survey analytic method with a cross sectional. The population in this study were 68 respondents, while the sample in this study was taken using accidental sampling namely 30 respondents. From statistical test using the chi-square test obtained p-Value = 0,028 &lt; α = 0,05, where there is a relationship between hemodialysis and quality of life in patients withhh chronic renal failure in the hemoodialysis room of the RSU Sembiring. It is advisable for patients with chronic kidney failure who are undergoing hemodialysis to improve their good quality of life because the quality of life has a significant effect on patients suffering ffrom chronic kidney failure who are undergoing hemodialysis”.

The Effect of Some Risk Factors Participating in the Incidence of Chronic Renal Failure

The Effect of Some Risk Factors Participating in the Incidence of Chronic Renal Failure

ANALISIS KEBIASAAN MEROKOK DAN KONSUMSI OBAT ANALGETIK SEBAGAI FAKTOR RESIKO PENYAKIT GAGAL GINJAL KRONIS

Background: Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a chronic degenerative disease that requires great attention. This is not only because of the ever-increasing incidence, but also because of the maintenance process that takes time and enormous expenses. Globally, nationally and regionally, chronic renal failure tends to increase. The most effective therapy for chronic renal failure is the prevention of risk factors. Objectives: Identify of smokingand analgetic drug consumption as a risk factor for chronic renal failure. Methode: This research is a correlation research with case control design. The sample were 75 case study groups and 75 control groups. Data obtained through interviews and analyzed using multiple logistic regression with SPSS series 18. Result: Smoking habit (p = 0.625) and analgetik consumption (p = 0.069 had no effect on the incidence of chronic renal failure. Conclusion: Research conclusions are smoking and analgetik consumption had no effect on the incidence of chronic renal failure Keywords: Analgetik consumption, Chronic Renal Failure, smoking

The Role of Nurses on Patient Compliance with Fluid Intake Restrictions during Interhemodialis

The incidence of chronic renal failure over the past ten years is increasing and hundreds of thousands of people are undergoing hemodialysis. Non-compliance has a very apprehensive effect as it affects the occurrence of acute and chronic complications. The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between nursing roles and patient compliance with fluid intake restrictions. It identified the distribution of the nurse’s role, the patient’s compliance with fluid intake restriction based on changes in body weight inter-hemodialysis and the relation between the nurse’s role with client compliance with fluid intake restriction, based on patient’s weight change. The population were 90 patients who underwent hemodialysis over one year. The descriptive correlation design was used; the instrument used a questionnaire consisting of 22 questions. Weight was measured after hemodialysis and before the next hemodialysis. The data analysis used univariate analysis for the role of nurse and patient compliance in limiting fluid intake and bivariate analysis to determine the Pearson Product Moment correlation between nurse role and patient compliance. The results showed that overall, nurses always performed their role as nurse care provider, educator, consultant and collaboration, with a percentage of 56.3%.Compliance variable showed that patient obedience in limiting fluid intake was 58.9%, with mild gain weight. Pearson correlation test results obtained a p value of p=0.000 and r of 0.773 which means there is a significant relationship between the role of nurses with patient compliance to limitation of fluid intake.

Clinical Significance of Serum lncRNA Cancer Susceptibility Candidate 2 (CASC2) for Chronic Renal Failure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

BackgroundLncRNA CASC2 has been established to have critical functions in tumorigenesis but, while its involvement in high-glucose-induced chronic renal failure remains unclear.Material/MethodsWe included patients with type 2 diabetes combined with chronic renal failure, as well as patients with diabetic retinopathy, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic foot infections or diabetic cardiomyopathy, and diabetic patients without any obvious complication, as well as healthy controls. Blood samples and renal tissues were obtained from each participant and expression of lncRNA CASC2 in those tissues was detected by qRT-PCR. Diagnostic value of lncRNA CASC2 for type 2 diabetes combined with chronic renal failure was evaluated by ROC curve analysis. All patients were followed up for 5 years and the occurrence of chronic renal failure was recorded.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, expression of lncRNA CASC2 in serum and renal tissue was specifically downregulated in patients with type 2 diabetes combined with chronic renal failure but not in type 2 diabetic patients combined with other complications. Follow-up showed that patients with low serum level of lncRNA CASC2 had significantly higher incidence of chronic renal failure.ConclusionslncRNA CASC2 is a reliable diagnostic biomarker for type 2 diabetes combined with chronic renal failure and low serum level of lncRNA CASC2 predicts the occurrence of chronic renal failure in patients with type 2 diabetes.

ANALISIS GAYA HIDUP (LIFESTYLE) SEBAGAI FAKTOR RESIKO PENYAKIT GAGAL GINJAL KRONIS

Background : globally, nationally, and regionally, chronic renal failure tends to increase.The most effective therapy for chronic renal failure is the prevention of risk factors.Objectives : identify lifestyles in the form of high-fat diet habits and consumption ofenergy supplements as a risk factor for chronic renal failure.Methods : this research is a correlation research with case control design. The samplewere 75 case study groups and 75 control groups. Data obtained through interviews andanalyzed using multiple logistic regression with SPSS series 18.Results : lifestyle that affect the incidence of chronic renal failure is high fat dietary habits(p = 0.001; OR = 0.256; CI = 0.116 - 0.562), consumption of energy supplements (P =0.001; OR = 0.229; CI = 0.094 - 0.560).Conclution : research conclusions are high-fat dietary habits and consuming energysupplement drinks is a lifestyle that affects the increased risk of chronic renal failure.Keyword : Chronic Kidney Desease, Lifestyle, Risk Factors.

A double-lyophilization method for the preparation of CS/GO-COOH scaffold and its application in blood detoxification

The accumulation of uremic toxins in blood might induce chronic renal failure (CRF). The incidence of CRF was as high as 10%. The traditional therapy for CRF was hemodialysis, which was more effective to remove small molecules, such as urea and creatinine. However, this detoxification method ignored the tissue functional adaption due to the retention of macromolecule uremic toxins. To solve this problem, this paper developed a new kind of chitosan/carboxyl graphite oxide (CS/GO-COOH) scaffold via a double-lyophilization method. Then, this synthetic scaffold was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, hydrophilic test, mechanical property, and in vitro detoxification test. Covalent bonding and hydrogen bonding were formed, indicating the strong interactions between CS and GO-COOH. There were interconnected networks in the synthesized scaffold. The mechanical test suggested that the GO-2500 scaffold had excellent mechanical strength, which was 7.41 ± 0.82 MPa with 25% shrink. What is more, GO-2500 could totally rebound within 1s, after compressed to 90% shrink. The rates of GO-2500 were 1587 ± 60 and 246 ± 10% according to the water uptake and retention data, respectively. Furthermore, the detoxification of GO-2500 to urea, creatinine, VB12, and β2-m were 67.59 ± 2.31, 39.67 ± 2.95, 31.51 ± 2.62, and 83.82 ± 7.76 mg/g, respectively. The resulting CS/GO-COOH scaffold held great potential for the detoxification of uremic toxins.

Diagnosis and management of chronic renal failure in the elderly

The incidence of chronic renal failure in the elderly is rising due to the ageing of the general population. Its management, and notably nephroprotective therapies, must be adapted to the elderly person who is often frail and with multiple pathologies. The decision to start extra-renal purification does not depend on the patient's chronological age but on their physiological age and requires dialogue between the patient and their family, the geriatrician and the nephrologist.

The support of the elderly person on hemodialysis

The ageing of the population is associated with an increase in the incidence of chronic renal failure. Management of the condition must be adapted to the specificities linked to ageing. With end-stage renal failure, haemodialysis is a substitution technique offered under certain conditions. The central role of the caregivers is to support and guide the elderly person along their care pathway. Faced with a reduced life expectancy, the aim of all concerned is to strike a balance between an effective treatment and quality of life.

Is Dysphagia After Cardiac Operations a “Preexisting Condition”?

Controversy exists about the incidence of dysphagia after cardiac operations, and very little is known about the baseline risk in this patient population. This study evaluated the incidence of dysphagia both preoperatively and postoperatively in patients undergoing cardiac operations. Patients undergoing cardiac operations were screened for dysphagia preoperatively using a 90-mL water swallow challenge protocol, a mini cognitive/speech screen, and a modified oral mechanism screen. The tests were repeated after extubation once the patient was alert and oriented. Patient characteristics were analyzed in conjunction with the results of the swallow screens to identify risk factors for dysphagia. Of 176 patients tested, 15 (8.5%) failed the swallow screen preoperatively. Age, gender, and comorbidities were compared. Patients who failed the swallow study preoperatively were slightly older (76.1 vs 73.3 years, p = 0.047) and had a higher incidence of chronic renal failure (13.3% v. 0.6%, p = 0.017), but gender and other comorbidities were not significantly different. Postoperatively, 38 patients failed the swallow screen (21.6%). Those who failed the postoperative screen were also older (75.6 vs 72.9 years, p = 0.012), but other factors (including chronic renal failure) were not significantly different. All of the patients who failed the swallow screen preoperatively also failed postoperatively. Unrecognized dysphagia in patients who need cardiac operations is a common problem and accounts for a substantial portion of that seen postoperatively. Older patients are at increased risk of dysphagia, but gender and medical comorbidities are not useful predictors of this risk.