Contemporary analysis of phrenic nerve injuries following cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation: A single-centre experience with the systematic use of compound motor action potential monitoring

Abstract

Background

Phrenic nerve injury (PNI) remains one of the most frequent complications during cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (CB-PVI). Since its introduction in 2013, the use of compound motor action potential (CMAP) for the prevention of PNI during CB-PVI is increasing; however, systematic outcome data are sparse.

Methods

The CMAP technique was applied in conjunction with abdominal palpation during pacing manoeuvres (10 mV, 2 ms) from the superior vena cava for 388 consecutive patients undergoing CB-PVI between January 2015 and May 2017 at our tertiary arrhythmia centre. Cryoablation was immediately terminated when CMAP amplitude was reduced by 30%.

Results

Reductions in CMAP amplitude were observed in 16 (4%) of 388 patients during isolation of the right veins. Of these, 11 (69%) patients did not manifest a reduction in diaphragmatic excursions. The drop in CMAP amplitude was observed in 10 (63%) patients during ablation of the right superior pulmonary veins (PVs) and in 7 (44%) patients during ablation of the right inferior PVs. Postprocedural persistent PNI was observed in three of four patients for a duration of 6 months, with one of these patients remaining symptomatic at the 24-month follow-up. One of the four patients was lost to long-term follow-up.

Conclusion

All PNIs occurred during right-sided CB-PVI and were preceded by a reduction in CMAP amplitude. Thus, the standardized use of CMAP surveillance during CB-PVI is easily applicable, reliable and compared with other studies, results in a lower number of PNIs.

Permalink
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235132
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32584880

Cite this article:

Anwar O, Gunawardene MA, Dickow J, Scherschel K, Jungen C, Münkler P, Eickholt C, Willems S, Gessler N, Meyer C. Contemporary analysis of phrenic nerve injuries following cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation: A single-centre experience with the systematic use of compound motor action potential monitoring. PLoS One. 2020 Jun 25;15(6):e0235132. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235132. PMID: 32584880; PMCID: PMC7316283.