Managing Congenital Heart Defects in Elderly: The Platypnea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome in Underestimated Patent Foramen Ovale

Abstract

The platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a rare and often suboptimally managed condition with a complex diagnostic workup, conversely displaying an easy treatment and a good recovery of symptoms, especially if consequent to an intracardiac shunt. However, its identification is challenging, due to the several clinical manifestations, the multiple etiologies, representing often the delayed presentation of a congenital heart disease. We present a case report and review of available literature on patients with the POS secondary to a patent foramen ovale successfully treated with its closure.

Keywords: atrial septal defect; congenital heart disease; intracardiac shunt; orthodeoxia; percutaneous structural intervention; platypnea.