title: Platypnea-orthodeoxia induced by fenestrated atrial septal aneurysm.
abstract: Platypnea-orthodeoxia is a peculiar syndrome characterized by a right-to-left shunt, which occurs in the upright position. The diagnosis is made by contrast transesophageal echocardiography, paying attention to include contrast visualization in the orthostatic decubitus. The association of this syndrome with a fenestrated atrial septal aneurysm is rare and probably underlies a peculiar and also rare mechanism of shunting in presence of normal pulmonary pressure. We report of a case of a 58-year-old man with a fenestrated atrial septal aneurysm and platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome treated by surgical closure of the atrial defect.
authors.affiliation: University of Perugia School of Medicine, Silvestrini Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giombolini
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Notaristefano
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santucci
authors.forename: Ketty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pasquino
authors.forename: Temistocle
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ragni
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
mesh_terms: D004417:Dyspnea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006322:Heart Aneurysm / Q000150:complications*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D013577:Syndrome; D014463:Ultrasonography