title: Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after open heart surgery.
abstract: The purpose of the present case report is to present a case of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis as a complication of open-heart surgery. A 47-year-old male was operated for aortic and mitral valve replacement. After discontinuation of sedation, bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis as well as motor and sensitive dysfunction in the four extremities was observed. The patient remained with mechanical ventilation support for twenty months. Two years after the operation a complete normalisation of the diaphragmatic motion was observed. Although uncommon, bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis after open-heart surgery could take place, being necessary long term mechanical ventilation support until recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Valladolid, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tamayo
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Florez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fulquet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernandez
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*