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Case Reports
. 2005 Sep 13:3:28.
doi: 10.1186/1476-7120-3-28.

Platypnea-orthodeoxia associated with a fenestrated atrial septal aneurysm: case report

William J van Gaal  1 , Majo Joseph, Elizabeth Jones, George Matalanis, Mark Horrigan
Affiliations
Case Reports

Platypnea-orthodeoxia associated with a fenestrated atrial septal aneurysm: case report

William J van Gaal et al. Cardiovasc Ultrasound. .

Abstract

Background: Platypnea-orthodeoxia describes the condition of combined dyspnea and hypoxia respectively, whilst in the upright position, which improves in the recumbent position.

Case report: We present a case of platypnea-orthodeoxia due to a fenestrated atrial septal defect associated with an atrial septal aneurysm. Due to the fenestrated nature of the atrial septal defect, surgical rather than percutaneous correction was performed.

Conclusion: A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose the syndrome of platypnea-orthodeoxia. Careful echocardiographic evaluation is required to identify the syndrome, and to determine suitability for percutaneous repair.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Aneurysmal atrial septal defect. (A) Transesophageal echocardiogram showing the left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA). The atrial septal aneurysm can be seen bulging into the left atrium, and the ASD is shown (arrow). (B) Color flow Doppler across the atrial septum demonstrates multiple fenestrations with three distinct jets seen crossing the septum.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Introperative findings. (A) Intra-operative photograph demonstrating the fenestrated nature of the atrial septal defect, and the final result following surgical repair (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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