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Case Reports
. 2021 May 5;14(5):e243016.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-243016.

Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome in COVID-19

Adarsh Aayilliath K  1 , Komal Singh  1 , Animesh Ray  2 , Naveet Wig  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome in COVID-19

Adarsh Aayilliath K et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare entity characterised by respiratory distress and/or hypoxia developing in the sitting/upright posture, which is relieved in the supine posture. It is caused by cardiac, pulmonary and non-cardiopulmonary diseases. COVID-19 can have varying respiratory manifestations including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sequelae-like pulmonary fibrosis. POS has been rarely reported in patients with COVID-19. Here we report a case of POS in a patient recovering from severe COVID-19 ARDS. As he was gradually mobilised after his improvement, he had worsening dyspnoea in the sitting position with significant relief on assuming a supine posture. He was diagnosed with POS after ruling out other causes of POS. He was treated with oxygen support in upright posture and chest physiotherapy was continued, to which he showed improvement. POS is a rare manifestation of COVID-19 which needs awareness as it can be diagnosed easily and can respond to continued supportive care.

Keywords: COVID-19; pneumonia (infectious disease); pneumonia (respiratory medicine).

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest radiograph showing bilateral peripheral ground-glass opacities in mid and lower zones of the lungs. R, right.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A–C) High-resolution CT of the thorax showing bilateral ground-glass opacities, consolidation and crazy pavement appearance of the lungs. L, left; R, right.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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