Impaired Diaphragmatic Function

The phrenic nerve may be damaged after cardiac surgery.

Question: What effect does a damaged phrenic nerve have on the diaphragm?

Answer

The diaphragm

The phrenic nerve may be damaged after cardiac surgery.

Question: What effect does a damaged phrenic nerve have on the diaphragm?

Answer: Phrenic nerve palsy causes upward paradoxical movement of the diaphragm on that side during inspiration. Diagnosis is made by screening the diaphragm by fluoroscopy.

Question: Can you name some conditions that may limit diaphragmatic movement?

Answer

The diaphragm

The phrenic nerve may be damaged after cardiac surgery.

Question: What effect does a damaged phrenic nerve have on the diaphragm?

Answer: Phrenic nerve palsy causes upward paradoxical movement of the diaphragm on that side during inspiration. Diagnosis is made by screening the diaphragm by fluoroscopy.

Question: Can you name some conditions that may limit diaphragmatic movement?

Answer: Diaphragmatic movement can be limited by anything that distends the abdomen, such as:

  • Pregnancy
  • Obesity
  • Ascites
  • Large tumours
  • Pneumoperitoneum

Diaphragmatic impairment caused by gastric distension following bag mask ventilation can be a particular problem in children (Fig 1).

Fig 1 X-ray showing gastric distension following bag mask ventilation in a child