[Dyspnea after pneumonectomy due to atrial septum defect].
A 55-year-old woman presented with complaints of recurrent dyspnoea one year after pneumonectomy carried out as treatment for a tumour of the left lung. During several months her symptoms progressed and eventually mechanical ventilation became necessary. On admission a patent foramen ovale was found with transoesophageal ultrasound but this was judged not to be the cause of her symptoms. The pulmonary angiogram showed a intracardiac shunt with no intrapulmonary shunts. After repeated transoesophageal ultrasound a second defect was found of a sinus venosus type. This large defect was proven to be clinically significant during catherisation of the heart, when occlusion with a balloon was performed. After surgical repair of these defects with an artificial patch, the patient recovered well. Since then she has been without complaints.
Benner
P M
PM
Afd. Intensive Care, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam. benner@kg.nl
Bosman
R J
RJ
van der Wouw
P A
PA
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome