Explore the vast range of titles available.

In a randomized trial, pulsed field ablation was noninferior to cryoballoon ablation with respect to the incidence of a first recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia, as assessed by continuous rhythm monitoring.

Background Phrenic nerve injury (PNI) is one of the common complications in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, which often recovers spontaneously. However, the course of its recovery has not been examined fully, especially in regard to the different ablation methods. We sought to compare the recovery course of PNI in cryoballoon, laser balloon, and radiofrequency ablation. Methods This multicenter retrospective study analyzed 355 patients who suffered from PNI during AF ablation. PNI occurred during cryoballoon ablatio n (CB group) and laser balloon ablatio n (LB group) for a pulmonary vein isolation in 288 and 20 patients, and radiofrequency ablation for a superior vena cava (SVC) isolatio n (RF-SVC group) in 47 patients, respectively Results There was a significant difference in the estimated probability of PNI recovery after the procedure between the methods ( p  = 0.01). PNI recovered significantly earlier in the CB group, especially within 24 h and 3 months post-procedure (the percentage of the recovery within 24 h and 3 months: 49.7% and 71.5% in the CB group, 15.0% and 22.2% in the LB group, and 23.4% and 41.9% in the RF-SVC group, respectively). Persistent PNI after 12 months was observed in only seven patients in the CB group, one in the LB group, and four in the RF-SVC group, respectively. Conclusion PNI rarely persists over 12 months after AF ablation; however, there is a difference in the timing of its recovery. PNI recovers quicker with cryoballoon ablation than with laser balloon ablation or radiofrequency ablation of the SVC. Graphical abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the cases of phrenic nerve injury caused by the percutaneous microwave ablation of lung tumors conducted at our center and to explore the risk factors. Materials and Methods: The data of 455 patients who underwent the percutaneous microwave ablation of lung tumors at the Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from July 2017 to October 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. The cases of phrenic nerve injury after the percutaneous ablation were reported to analyze the risk factors involved, such as the shortest distance between tumor margin and phrenic nerve, tumor size, and ablation energy. The groups were divided based on the shortest distance between the tumor edge and the phrenic nerve into group 1, d ≤ l cm; group 2, 1 < d ≤2 cm; and group 3, d >2 cm. Lesions with a distance ≤2 cm were compared in terms of tumor size and ablation energy. Results: Among the 455 patients included in this study, 348 had primary lung cancer, and 107 had oligometastatic cancer. A total of 579 lesions were detected, with maximum diameter of 1.27 ± 0.55 cm, and the ablation energy was 9,000 (4,800-72,000) J. Six patients developed phrenic nerve injury, with an incidence of 1.32%. For these six patients, the shortest distance from the lesion edge to the phrenic nerve was 0.75 ± 0.48 cm, and the ablation energy was 10,500 (8,400-34,650) J. There were statistically significant differences in phrenic nerve injury among groups 1, 2, and 3 (P < 0.05). In patients with a distance (d) ≤ 2 cm, there were no significant differences in tumor diameter and energy between the phrenic nerve injury group and the non-injury group (P = 0.80; P = 0.41). In five out of six patients, the diaphragm level completely recovered to the pre-procedure state, and the recovery time of the phrenic nerve was 9.60 ± 5.60 months. Another one was re-examined 11 months after the procedure, and the level of the diaphragm on the affected side had partially recovered. Conclusions: Phrenic nerve injury is a rare but not negligible complication of thermal ablation and is more likely to occur in lesions with a distance ≤2 cm from the phrenic nerve.

Diaphragm elevation is commonly seen after cardiac surgery, mostly due to phrenic nerve injury. However, only historical data is available on the incidence of diaphragm elevation and its consequences during recovery. We aim to provide contemporary insights into the incidence of diaphragm dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and its effect on postoperative outcomes. Records of all patients undergoing cardiac surgery through sternotomy between 2015 and 2016 at the Radboud University MedicalCentre were retrospectively reviewed. Diaphragm position and elevation were evaluated on available chest radiography. Right-sided diaphragm elevation was defined as the right diaphragm being > 3.0 cm above the left diaphragm; left-sided diaphragm elevation was defined as < 0.5 cm below or above the level of the right diaphragm. A total of 1510 patients have undergone cardiac surgery through sternotomy during the study period, of which 1316 patients were included in the final analysis. Of these 1316 patients, 13% (n = 179) had pre-existing diaphragm elevation, 27% (n = 351) had a new diaphragm elevation postoperative-y, and 60% (n = 786) had no diaphragm elevation. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the occurrence of postoperative (pulmonary) complications or mortality. Of patients who developed new diaphragm elevation postoperatively, 65% recovered in the follow-up period. New postoperative diaphragm elevation occurs in 27% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, new postoperative diaphragm elevation is not associated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications and spontaneous recovery is seen in most patients.

PurposePhrenic nerve (PN) injury is a typical complication of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) of pulmonary veins. The PN function is monitored by palpating the abdomen during PN pacing, and freezing is prematurely terminated when a reduction in the diaphragm movement is recognized. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a “pull-back” maneuver to prevent PN injury.MethodsA total of 284 patients were included, and the PN function was monitored by recording the diaphragmatic compound motor action potentials (CMAP) during the cryoballoon applications for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. When the CMAP amplitude was reduced by more than 30% compared to the control, the “pull-back” maneuver (PBM) was undertaken to prevent PN injury.ResultsThe average CMAP amplitude significantly decreased from 0.81 ± 0.04 to 0.31 ± 0.21 (p < 0.01) mV during the cryoballoon applications of PVs in 92 PVs. The PBM was employed in all cases, and the average CMAP amplitude recovered to 0.87 ± 0.31 mV (p < 0.01) in 79 out of 92 PVs (85.9%), accomplishing the CBA. Cryofreezing had to be prematurely terminated due to failure of the PBM in 13 out of 92 cases (14.1%).ConclusionsThe PBM was an effective maneuver to prevent PN injury by creating a distance between the PN and location of the cryoballoon. No adverse events were provoked by this procedure.

The success of catheter ablation of focal atrial tachycardia is limited by possible collateral damage to the phrenic nerve. Protection of the phrenic nerve is required. Here we present a case of a 9-year-old girl having a history of an unsuccessful catheter ablation of a focal atrial tachycardia near the crista terminalis (because of proximity of the phrenic nerve) who underwent a successful ablation by means of a novel technique for phrenic nerve protection: packing of gauze into the pericardial space. This method is a viable approach for patients with a failed endocardial ablation due to the proximity of the phrenic nerve.

Dysfunction of one or both hemidiaphragms is an underdiagnosed cause of dyspnea. Weakness or paralysis may be seen during mechanical ventilation, after surgery or trauma, with metabolic or inflammatory disorders, and with myopathy, neuropathy, or diseases causing lung hyperinflation. The diaphragm is the dome-shaped structure that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It is the principal muscle of respiration, is innervated by the phrenic nerves that arise from the nerve roots at C3 through C5, and is primarily composed of fatigue-resistant slow-twitch type I and fast-twitch type IIa myofibers. 1 Its mechanical action is best understood by considering its anatomy and its attachment to the chest wall. 2 The diaphragm abuts the lower rib cage in a region referred to as the zone of apposition (Figure 1). As the diaphragm contracts, the abdominal contents are displaced caudally, abdominal pressure increases in . . .

Objective To gather detailed data on the incidence of phrenic nerve damage (PND) following cardiac surgery in children, the risk factors for its development, its effect on morbidity and its prognosis. Design Prospective electrophysiological measurement of phrenic nerve latency in 310 children before and after cardiac surgery. Setting Tertiary paediatric cardiac surgical centre. Measurements and results Our findings were fourfold. Firstly, the incidence of PND in our group of patients was 20%, significantly higher than estimates using indirect methods of assessment. Secondly, PND increased the duration of ventilation by a median of 76 h (20 vs. 96 h; p  < 0.001), and late post-operative deaths (before hospital discharge) occurred in 12.9% of patients compared to 2.4% among patients with a normal post-operative phrenic latency. Thirdly, the risk factors that were independently predictive of the development of PND were the site of the surgery and the patient's age. Patients who required surgery at both the lung hilum and the pericardium were more likely to develop PND than patients with only one of those sites, or when neither was involved, and children less than 18 months old were more likely to develop PND than older children. Lastly, the natural history of PND following surgery appears to be good. In our follow-up to 3 months, approximately one third recovered within 1 month and a further third (overall) recovered by 3 months. Conclusions We conclude that the incidence of PND is much higher than currently recognised, and has a very significant effect on post-operative morbidity and mortality. Most children who survive the post-operative period will recover nerve function within 3 months.

Paralysis of the diaphragm is a severe complication of cardiothoracic surgery carrying significant morbidity and mortality. This study demonstrates a novel minimally invasive technique for treatment of phrenic nerve injuries presenting with symptomatic eventration of the diaphragm. It also presents long-term results of three patients treated with this operation. Chest x-ray proved eventration of the left diaphragm in all patients. Two patients required treatment due to prolonged respirator therapy/assisted ventilation for 4 weeks after cardiac surgery. One patient suffered from progressive dyspnea caused by increasing left-sided diaphragmatic elevation and underwent surgery 2 years after cardiac surgery. In all cases, a minimally invasive abdominal approach was chosen. During surgery the dome of the diaphragm was pulled down via three percutaneously inserted retention stitches. This resulted in two or three folds of the diaphragm located within the abdomen. These diaphragmatic folds were subsequently tightened using 12 to 15 unresorbable sutures with extracorporally prepared knots. Surgical as well as long-term follow-up results are presented of all patients and a review of the current literature is provided. Mean operating time was 203 min; mean intraoperative blood loss was 130 ml. No major complications occurred during surgery or the postoperative period. At a median follow-up of 72 months no recurrence was observed. Laparoscopic diaphragmatic plication provides excellent relief of symptoms caused by diaphragmatic paralysis. There is no perioperative morbidity, and hospital stay is short. The laparoscopic approach, therefore, is an attractive surgical alternative for the treatment of phrenic nerve palsy and should be considered in all suitable patients.