Diaphragm dysfunction from phrenic nerve injuries during LVAD or heart transplant: Positive role of diaphragm pacing

Background: Phrenic nerve dysfunction in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation or heart transplant (HTx) leads to dependency on noninvasive ventilation and difficulty weaning off mechanical ventilation (MV). This study reports on diaphragm pacing (DP) to improve diaphragm function postp...

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Main Authors: Christina S. Boutros, DO, MaryJo Elmo, ACNP, Nicholas Carl, BS, Yasir Abu-Omar, MD, Rakesh Arora, MD, Yakov Elgudin, MD, PhD, Kelsey E. Gray, MD, Marc P. Pelletier, MD, Raymond P. Onders, MD, FACS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:JHLT Open
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295013342500076X
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author Christina S. Boutros, DO
MaryJo Elmo, ACNP
Nicholas Carl, BS
Yasir Abu-Omar, MD
Rakesh Arora, MD
Yakov Elgudin, MD, PhD
Kelsey E. Gray, MD
Marc P. Pelletier, MD
Raymond P. Onders, MD, FACS
author_facet Christina S. Boutros, DO
MaryJo Elmo, ACNP
Nicholas Carl, BS
Yasir Abu-Omar, MD
Rakesh Arora, MD
Yakov Elgudin, MD, PhD
Kelsey E. Gray, MD
Marc P. Pelletier, MD
Raymond P. Onders, MD, FACS
author_sort Christina S. Boutros, DO
collection DOAJ
description Background: Phrenic nerve dysfunction in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation or heart transplant (HTx) leads to dependency on noninvasive ventilation and difficulty weaning off mechanical ventilation (MV). This study reports on diaphragm pacing (DP) to improve diaphragm function postphrenic nerve injury. Methods: In a single-center cohort study, 2 DP systems were used in HTx or LVAD recipients. Chronic DP was laparoscopically implanted for remote phrenic dysfunction, while temporary DP was implanted percutaneously during HTx. Diaphragm function was evaluated radiographically and via electromyography. Results: Out of 900 patients, 10 met criteria and used DP without adverse events. Eight had chronic DP for phrenic injuries (5 HTx, 3 LVAD), with 87% recovery. Two had temporary DP at HTx; one utilized DP for weaning from MV. Early DP use facilitated rapid MV weaning. Conclusions: This exploratory case series suggests a potential role for DP in patients with phrenic nerve injury following heart transplant or LVAD.
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spelling doaj-art-da3b6bdbd1804e25b5e32ffc6080f1072025-08-20T03:41:57ZengElsevierJHLT Open2950-13342025-08-01910028110.1016/j.jhlto.2025.100281Diaphragm dysfunction from phrenic nerve injuries during LVAD or heart transplant: Positive role of diaphragm pacingChristina S. Boutros, DO0MaryJo Elmo, ACNP1Nicholas Carl, BS2Yasir Abu-Omar, MD3Rakesh Arora, MD4Yakov Elgudin, MD, PhD5Kelsey E. Gray, MD6Marc P. Pelletier, MD7Raymond P. Onders, MD, FACS8Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioDepartment of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioDepartment of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioDepartment of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioDepartment of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioDepartment of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioDepartment of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioDepartment of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioCorresponding author: Raymond P. Onders, MD, FACS, Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106. Telephone: 216-844-5797.; Department of Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OhioBackground: Phrenic nerve dysfunction in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation or heart transplant (HTx) leads to dependency on noninvasive ventilation and difficulty weaning off mechanical ventilation (MV). This study reports on diaphragm pacing (DP) to improve diaphragm function postphrenic nerve injury. Methods: In a single-center cohort study, 2 DP systems were used in HTx or LVAD recipients. Chronic DP was laparoscopically implanted for remote phrenic dysfunction, while temporary DP was implanted percutaneously during HTx. Diaphragm function was evaluated radiographically and via electromyography. Results: Out of 900 patients, 10 met criteria and used DP without adverse events. Eight had chronic DP for phrenic injuries (5 HTx, 3 LVAD), with 87% recovery. Two had temporary DP at HTx; one utilized DP for weaning from MV. Early DP use facilitated rapid MV weaning. Conclusions: This exploratory case series suggests a potential role for DP in patients with phrenic nerve injury following heart transplant or LVAD.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295013342500076Xleft ventricular assist deviceheart transplantdiaphragm dysfunctiondiaphragm pacingphrenic nerve injury
spellingShingle Christina S. Boutros, DO
MaryJo Elmo, ACNP
Nicholas Carl, BS
Yasir Abu-Omar, MD
Rakesh Arora, MD
Yakov Elgudin, MD, PhD
Kelsey E. Gray, MD
Marc P. Pelletier, MD
Raymond P. Onders, MD, FACS
Diaphragm dysfunction from phrenic nerve injuries during LVAD or heart transplant: Positive role of diaphragm pacing
JHLT Open
left ventricular assist device
heart transplant
diaphragm dysfunction
diaphragm pacing
phrenic nerve injury
title Diaphragm dysfunction from phrenic nerve injuries during LVAD or heart transplant: Positive role of diaphragm pacing
title_full Diaphragm dysfunction from phrenic nerve injuries during LVAD or heart transplant: Positive role of diaphragm pacing
title_fullStr Diaphragm dysfunction from phrenic nerve injuries during LVAD or heart transplant: Positive role of diaphragm pacing
title_full_unstemmed Diaphragm dysfunction from phrenic nerve injuries during LVAD or heart transplant: Positive role of diaphragm pacing
title_short Diaphragm dysfunction from phrenic nerve injuries during LVAD or heart transplant: Positive role of diaphragm pacing
title_sort diaphragm dysfunction from phrenic nerve injuries during lvad or heart transplant positive role of diaphragm pacing
topic left ventricular assist device
heart transplant
diaphragm dysfunction
diaphragm pacing
phrenic nerve injury
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295013342500076X
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