Imaging of the Diaphragm Following Cardiac Surgery Focus on Ultrasonographic Assessment

Diaphragm dysfunction is a common complication following cardiac surgery. Its clinical impact is variable, ranging from the absence of symptoms to the acute respiratory failure. Post-operative diaphragm dysfunction may negatively affect patients' prognosis delaying the weaning from the mechanical ventilation (MV), extending the time of hospitalization and increasing mortality. Ultrasonography is a valid tool to evaluate diaphragmatic impairment in different settings, like the Intensive Care Unit, to predict successful weaning from the MV, and the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Unit, to stratify patients in terms of risk of functional recovery failure. The aim of this review is to describe the pathophysiology of post-cardiac surgery diaphragm dysfunction, the techniques used for its diagnosis and the potential applications of diaphragm ultrasound.

Automated summary

Diaphragm dysfunction is a common complication after cardiac surgery, with variable clinical impact and potential negative effects on prognosis and mortality. Ultrasonography is a valuable tool for evaluating diaphragmatic impairment and predicting successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. This review aims to describe the pathophysiology, diagnostic techniques, and potential applications of diaphragm ultrasound in post-cardiac surgery patients.