Right hemi-diaphragm paralysis following cardiac radiofrequency ablation.
Diaphragm paralysis may occur after traumatic phrenic nerve injury. Here we report three patients in whom right hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis developed after cardiac radiofrequency ablation. We hypothesise that local focused thermal energy at the time of the ablation may have caused direct neuronal damage by axonal coagulation necrosis. The prognosis for this type of injury may be reasonably good; two of the three patients fully recovered diaphragm function by 1 year.
Respiratory Muscle Laboratory, Royal Brompton Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6NP, UK. e.swallow@ic.ac.uk
E B
EB
Swallow
M J
MJ
Dayer
W L
WL
Oldfield
J
J
Moxham
M I
MI
Polkey
D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D013616:Tachycardia, Sinus / Q000601:surgery