Dyspnoea after pneumonectomy.
We report the case of a 61 yr old male, who developed a severe right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale, in the absence of elevated right-sided heart pressures, two months after a left-sided pneumonectomy. This is considered to be a rare complication after pneumonectomy. However, taking into account the approximately 20% incidence of patent foramen ovale in the general population, we suggest that right-to-left shunting through an unsuspected foramen ovale or atrial septum defect should always be considered as a possible cause of otherwise unexplained hypoxaemia.
Smeenk
F W
FW
Dept. of Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Twisk
S P
SP
Berreklouw
E
E
Gooszen
H C
HC
Postmus
P E
PE
D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*