Diaphragmatic flutter in a patient with a pacemaker

Abstract

Diaphragmatic flutter is a rarely reported disorder characterized by an abnormal diaphragmatic activity, which may be associated with respiratory symptoms (respiratory myoclonus). We describe a case of a 65-year-old patient with abnormal abdominal movements and no other symptoms. These movements resulted from rapid involuntary contractions of the diaphragm. Emotional tension and anxiety were the most common precipitating factors, the etiology was unclear and several pharmacologic agents have shown to be ineffective until the flutter was suppressed with high dose of clonazepam.