Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome

Q: What is platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome?

Answer: Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is characterized by both dyspnea (platypnea) and desaturation (orthodeoxia) in upright position but improve in supine position. It is usually due to high right atrial pressure causing right-to-left shunting. Some of the major reasons are patent foramen ovale (PFO), pericardial effusion, constrictive pericarditis, emphysema, amiodarone pulmonary toxicity, pneumonectomy, and cirrhosis.

#pulmonary

#cardiology

References:

1. Cheng TO. Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome: etiology, differential diagnosis, and management. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 1999; 47:64.

2. Rodrigues P, Palma P, Sousa-Pereira L. Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome in review: defining a new disease? Cardiology. 2012;123(1):15-23. doi: 10.1159/000339872. Epub 2012 Aug 31. PMID: 22948714.