1. [A strange case of acute respiratory failure: the platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome].
- Author
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Pieri P, Vitale G, Pieri M, La Fata B, Buffa L, Pieri E, Marchì S, Pitrolo F, and Geraci G
- Subjects
- Acute Disease, Aged, Female, Foramen Ovale, Patent surgery, Humans, Patient Positioning, Respiratory Insufficiency surgery, Syndrome, Dyspnea etiology, Foramen Ovale, Patent complications, Hypoxia etiology, Respiratory Insufficiency etiology
- Abstract
Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by dyspnea and oxygen desaturation in upright position, with improvement of symptoms and blood oxygenation in supine position. Basically a right-to-left shunt (intracardiac or pulmonary) or a ventilation/perfusion mismatch are necessary to develop platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. Atrial septal defects, including patent foramen ovale (PFO), are known to be a frequent cause of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. We describe herein the case of a 79-year-old woman with platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome and PFO who developed a refractory worsening respiratory failure. Only the "rescue" emergency closure of PFO allowed the patient a clinical turning point with immediate and sustained respiratory improvement.
- Published
- 2020
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