Successful surgical repair of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome in a patient with cerebral infarction

Abstract

Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a rare condition characterized by hypoxaemia in the upright position and arterial hypoxaemia induced by the upright position, and the syndrome is relieved by recumbency. We encountered a cerebral infarction patient who presented with low SpO 2 levels in the upright position. The patient was diagnosed with platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome caused by the patent foramen ovale and mechanical compression of the heart due to an elongated aorta. The surgical closure of the foramen and shortening of the ascending aorta improved the patient's clinical condition. To our knowledge, there have been few reports of clinical conditions of this kind. © The Author 2012.