Left lower lobe atelectasis and consolidation following cardiac surgery: the effect of topical cooling on the phrenic nerve

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.142.1.6975951· OSTI ID:5573825

Benjamin, J J; Cascade, P N; Rubenfire, M; Wajszczuk, W; Kerin, N Z

Retrospective and prospective analyses of chest radiographs of patients following coronary artery bypass surgery were undertaken. Left lower lobe pulmonary infiltrate and/or atelectasis developed in 13 of 40 (32.5%) patients who were operated upon without topical cooling of the heart with ice, and in 77 of 122 (63.1%) patients in one group and 34 of 40 (85.0%) patients in another group who were operated upon with topical cooling of the heart with ice. This difference was highly significant (p<0.001). Of the patients in one group in whom left lower lobe abnormality developed, 69.2% had paralysis or paresis of the left hemidiaphragm. It is evident that application of ice to the phrenic nerve can lead to temporary paralysis of the left leaf of the diaphragm, with subsequent development of left lower lobe pulmonary infiltrate and/or atelectasis.

• Research Organization: Wayne State Univ. College of Medicine, Detroit, MI
• OSTI ID: 5573825
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Vol. 142:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ARTERIES
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
DIAGNOSIS
HEART
NERVES
PATIENTS
SURGERY
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
MEDICINE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIOLOGY
550602* - Medicine- External Radiation in Diagnostics- (1980-)