The effects of thrombolysis and endovascular clot retrieval on dysphagia: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The aim of this scoping review was to identify and analyse all available studies exploring the effects of thrombolysis and endovascular clot retrieval on swallowing outcomes from a speech–language pathology perspective.

Materials and methods

A systematic literature search identified full-text journal articles that reported on swallowing after reperfusion therapies. To be included, studies had to explore the effects of thrombolysis or endovascular clot retrieval on dysphagia, include ‘dysphagia’ or ‘swallowing’ in analysis/discussion, be a peer-reviewed full-text journal article and be in the English language. Relevant studies were assessed for quality and data were extracted regarding study type, reperfusion therapy administered, assessment tools used, speech–language pathology input and dysphagia results.

Results

Two articles met the inclusion criteria. Both discussed thrombolysis and presented conflicting findings. Thrombolysis was suggested to impact dysphagia presentation in both articles, however, heterogeneity in results did not support clear insight into the nature of the impact. No research was identified exploring the effects of endovascular clot retrieval on swallowing.

Conclusion

Limited research exists exploring the effects of reperfusion therapies on dysphagia outcomes. As thrombolysis and endovascular clot retrieval increase in clinical use, this review is a call to action for further research to identify potential differences in dysphagia presentation and management for this patient population in order to guide evidence-based rehabilitation.

KEYWORDS:

• Word
• dysphagia
• thrombolysis
• endovascular clot retrieval
• scoping review

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Christine Dalais for valuable assistance with database searches.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.