Orthopnea: This Time it is not the Heart Failure; A Rare Case of Bilateral Diaphragmatic Paralysis

Abstract

Diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare reason of pulmonary dysfunction that may lead to severe illness. It may cause shortness of breath, orthopnea, sleep apnea and respiratory failure1. Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis is a very uncommon cause of respiratory failure which always remain underdiagnosed2. It can be neuropathic or myopathic.Here we are reporting a case of middle-aged women who had history of recent myocardial infarction and presenting with history of dyspnea and orthopnea which is a rare case of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis confused with heart failure due to myocardial infarction.