Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome: an unusual complication of partial liver resection

Intern Med. 2015;54(9):1067-9. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.54.3617. Epub 2015 May 1.

Abstract

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare syndrome of severe hypoxemia upon assuming an upright position. It is classically described as shunting from the right atrium to the left atrium usually via a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Alterations in the intrathoracic anatomy after liver resection and regeneration may trigger this condition in patients with clinically silent PFO -a previously unreported cause of POS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Dyspnea / surgery*
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / complications
  • Foramen Ovale, Patent / surgery*
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / complications
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / etiology
  • Hypoxia / surgery*
  • Liver / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Posture
  • Regeneration
  • Supine Position
  • Syndrome