[Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome: A case of hypoxemia associated with a patent foramen ovale]

Abstract

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a rare disease characterized by dyspnea and oxygen desaturation in the upright position with improvement in the supine position. We report a case of an 87-year-old woman with a recent history of traumatic hip, spine deformity and vertebral compression fracture, referred due to dyspnea oxygen desaturation. Thoracic tomodensitometry excluded the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Transthoracic echocardiography, with intravenous administration of agitated saline contrast solution, revealed the presence of atrial septal defect associated with a right to left shunting and mild enlargement of aortic root. Surgical closure of atrial septal defect resulted in resolution of the syndrome.

Keywords: Atrial septal defect; Foramen ovale perméable; Patent foramen ovale; Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome; Platypnée-orthodéoxie; Shunt droit-gauche.