Paralytic ileus precipitating platypnoea-orthodeoxia after right pneumonectomy

Jennifer Whiteley; Peter Lynn; Niki Walker; John Butler

doi:10.1093/ejcts/ezz212

Paralytic ileus precipitating platypnoea-orthodeoxia after right pneumonectomy

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2020 Jan 1;57(1):189-190. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezz212.

Authors

Jennifer Whiteley¹, Peter Lynn², Niki Walker², John Butler¹

Affiliations

¹ Cardiothoracic Surgery, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
² Scottish Adult Congenital Cardiac Service, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow, UK.

PMID: 31363746
DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezz212

Abstract

A 78-year-old female underwent a right pneumonectomy for a neuroendocrine tumour. In the early postoperative phase, she developed a paralytic ileus and went on to develop breathlessness and orthostatic desaturation, which characterizes platypnoea-orthodeoxia. She was found to have an intra-atrial shunt on bubble echo, with equal atrial pressures. This was managed by device closure of the atrial connection, following which her condition improved.

Keywords: Lung cancer; Platypnoea–orthodeoxia; Pneumonectomy.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged
Dyspnea
Female
Foramen Ovale, Patent* / surgery
Heart Septal Defects, Atrial*
Humans
Hypoxia / etiology
Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction* / diagnostic imaging
Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction* / etiology
Pneumonectomy / adverse effects
Syndrome