atmospheric heave as an ASAT weapon

When High Altitude nuclear testing was done in the early '60s, one
thing that was noticed was atmospheric 'heave" where so much energy
was deposited in the upper atmosphere that the heated air would rise
to extreme altitude increasing the density of residual air at extreme
altitudes by orders of magnitude over a column centered over the
detonation point. This column would slowly level itself out over a
period of hours.
This effect could be used as an anti-satellite weapon that would cause
orbital decay or extreme disruption of satellite position.
Alternatively, this effect could be used to cleanse an orbit of
debris, specifically very small debris with a high surface area to
mass ratio.