Orthodeoxia--an uncommon presentation following bilateral thoracic sympathectomy.
We present a case of orthodeoxia (postural hypoxaemia) which resulted from a combination of lung collapse/consolidation and blunted hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction due to partial interruption of the sympathetic nerve supply to the lung by bilateral thoracic sympathectomy.
Departments of Intensive Care and Vascular Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Pharmacology Unit, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.
P V
PV
van Heerden
P D
PD
Cameron
A
A
Karanovic
M A
MA
Goodman
D000293:Adolescent; D015765:Almitrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000601:surgery; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013900:Thoracic Nerves / Q000601:surgery*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D015765:Almitrine; D009638:Norepinephrine