Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome in an older patient with COVID-19 pneumonia and orthostatic hypotension - a case of prolonged hospital admission

Abstract

An 89-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with a fall, general malaise and low oxygen saturations. She tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and commenced on standard therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia. She improved initially but reported ongoing dyspnoea exacerbated by position. Following investigations to rule out other causes, she was given a diagnosis of platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS). She was treated with gradual verticalization therapy with supplemental oxygen and subsequently discharged to an intermediate care bed (ICB).