title: Diagnostic value of transesophageal echocardiography in platypnea.
abstract: Platypnea is a rare syndrome of orthostatic dyspnea frequently caused by an interatrial right-to-left shunt. The diagnosis is difficult. Assessment of arterial blood gases reveals orthostatic desaturation. In the past, definite diagnosis necessitated catheterization in the supine and upright position. Now transesophageal echocardiography on a tilt table combined with a peripheral venous contrast study provides correct diagnosis in a safe and easy way.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Pneumology, and Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Herregods
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Timmermans
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Frans
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Decramer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Daenen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: De Geest
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006325:Heart Atria; D006346:Heart Septum; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture