Platypnea and orthodeoxia in a patient with pulmonary embolism

Am J Emerg Med. 2013 Apr;31(4):760.e1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2012.12.004. Epub 2013 Feb 4.

Abstract

The platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a rare clinical manifestation. Platypnea is defined as shortness of breath that worsens in the upright position, and orthodeoxia represents hypoxemia that aggravates in the upright position. We report a case of a patient with platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome associated with pulmonary embolism and patent foramen ovale.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / complications
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / etiology
  • Perfusion Imaging
  • Posture
  • Pulmonary Embolism / complications
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Ventilation
  • Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio