title: Serial phrenic nerve conduction studies in candidates for diaphragm pacing.
abstract: Serial phrenic nerve conduction studies in 3 patients with high cervical cord injuries have demonstrated a pattern of function that changes with time. Nerves may be responsive initially and may then become unresponsive only to have responses reappear at a later date. Before a final decision is made about phrenic nerve viability prior to diaphragm pacing, serial studies should be carried out for at least 6 weeks postinjury on initially responsive nerves, and for at least 2 years postinjury on nonresponsive nerves or those with a changing functional pattern.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000294:innervation; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*