A case of bilateral phrenic nerve paralysis following open heart surgery
Iwakuma, A.; Kawano, Y.; Okamoto, S.; Imada, T.; Onimura, S.; Matsuyoshi, T.; Kimura, M.; Asao, M.
Kyobu Geka. Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery 44(5): 404-407
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-5252 PMID: 1646905 Document Number: 375424
Coronary artery bypass surgery was performed on a 58-year-old female under cold cardioplegia with topical ice slush cooling. Bilateral phrenic paralysis was observed postoperatively, in spite of prevention with a mat during aortic cross clamp, cold injury owing to ice slush was thought to be causative. Mechanical ventilatory support continued for more than two months until her complete recovery of diaphragmatic function. She complained of sleeplessness besides respiratory symptoms, and felt uneasy. Although cold injury is mostly reversible, it is stressed that we must deliberately wean from mechanical ventilatory support, turning our attention to symptoms and blood gas analysis with as much mental assistance as possible.