Shortness of breath after AV ablation: case of left phrenic nerve palsy

Abstract

Phrenic nerve palsy has been recognized as a complication of catheter ablation with a prevalence of 0.11–0.48% after atrial fibrillation ablation, independent of the type of ablation catheter or energy source, likely due to the anatomical relationship of the nerves. This report describes a case of new onset of shortness of breath (SOB) due to left diaphragm paralysis following transcatheter radiofrequency ablation in a patient with underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Keywords

• phrenic nerve palsy
• atrial fibrillation
• cardiac ablation
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease