Impact of Aspiration Pneumonia in Elderly People with Cerebral Ischemia: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

In the hospital environment, the use of tools to identify the risk of aspiration is an important strategy to screen individuals who are more likely to develop this condition, preventing or reducing its effects. This review aims to highlight the diagnostic challenges, prevention and appropriate management of these conditions. A systematic search was carried out in the VHL electronic database using the terms “MESH” bronchoaspiration OR aspiration pneumonia AND cerebral ischemia OR hospitalized elderly”. Original, primary studies, in Portuguese or English, published between 2013 and 2023 were included. 8 articles were selected in the electronic search and 28 studies included in the manual review. The results showed that aging can predispose to dysphagia, increasing the risk of aspiration and pneumonia. Cerebral ischemia can worsen this scenario, increasing dysphagia. Risk screening strategies for bronchoaspiration are essential in the hospital context to identify vulnerable individuals and mitigate these adverse effects.