[Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, atrial septal aneurysm and right hemidiaphragmatic elevation with a right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale]

Medicina (B Aires). 2005;65(3):252-4.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Platypnea-orthodeoxia is an uncommon syndrome of dyspnea and hypoxemia induced by upright position, which is subsequently relieved by recumbency. The case reported involved a 75-year-old man with a seven days history of dyspnea in the upright position. The chest radiograph and CT scan demonstrated an elevated right hemidiaphragm. A surface echocardiogram with saline solution showed a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal aneurysm. A pulmonary arteriogram was performed showing no evidence of pulmonary embolism and normal pulmonary arterial pressures. Later, he also developed dyspnea in the supine position and a transesophageal echocardiogram with contrast demonstrated a large right to left shunt through a PFO. The closure by a catheter-deployed double-umbrella device caused an immediate improvement in the patient's oxygenation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Dyspnea / etiology*
  • Dyspnea / physiopathology
  • Heart Aneurysm / complications
  • Heart Aneurysm / physiopathology*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / complications*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / physiopathology
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / etiology*
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Posture*
  • Respiratory Paralysis / complications*
  • Syndrome