The purpose of this study to assess the diaphragm kinetics with Tissue Doppler Imaging in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation with cryoballoon

This study is designed to evaluate the diaphragm kinetics with ultrasonography parameters in patients who underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) by Cryoballoon. Due to the proximity of the pulmonary veins to the phrenic nerve, phrenic nerve paralysis can be seen rarely during the procedure. In contemporary practice, phrenic nerve damage is detected by visual monitoring of diaphragm movement as a result of pacing with high output by placing the intracardiac stimulation catheter at the level of the superior vena cava. However, subclinical nerve damage may be critical regarding respiratory functions, especially in patients with comorbidities. It has been shown in the literature that the evaluation of diaphragm kinetics with Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) can be used in effective ventilation monitoring and weaning. However, this technique has not been used in patients who have previously undergone cryoballoon therapy. It is aimed to investigate the positive or negative effects on diaphragm kinetics, as a very cost-effective and rapidly accessible technique, with the help of this technique.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients scheduled for AF ablation with a cryoballoon
• ≥18 years old
• Patients with interpretable diaphragm ultrasound before the operation
• Patients giving informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who did not give consent
• Patients with phrenic nerve palsy
• Morbid obesity

This study population will consist of patients who are planned for AF ablation with the cryobaloon, whose preoperative ultrasonography can be interpreted and who gave their consent.