Phrenic nerve injury during cardiac surgery: mechanisms, management and prevention
VJ Aguirre, P Sinha, A Zimmet, GA Lee, L Kwa… - Heart, Lung and …, 2013 - Elsevier
Phrenic nerve injury is a well-recognised complication of cardiac surgery that can lead to
disabling effects from diaphragmatic dysfunction, especially in children and patients with a
history of chronic obstructive airway disease. Various mechanisms of injury have been
recognised including hypothermia, mechanical trauma and possibly ischaemia. A clear
understanding of these mechanisms is important in order to modify surgical techniques to
prevent this serious complication of cardiac surgery.
disabling effects from diaphragmatic dysfunction, especially in children and patients with a
history of chronic obstructive airway disease. Various mechanisms of injury have been
recognised including hypothermia, mechanical trauma and possibly ischaemia. A clear
understanding of these mechanisms is important in order to modify surgical techniques to
prevent this serious complication of cardiac surgery.