title: Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome in association with an ascending aortic aneurysm.
abstract: Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a uncommon condition presenting with dyspnoea and cyanosis that are characteristically worse in the upright posture and improved by lying supine. We present the case of a patient with a thoracic aortic aneurysm and a patent foramen ovale who presented with platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome. Diagnosis was established using transoesophageal echocardiography. We suggest a mechanism for the development of dyspnoea and hypoxia in patients with this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust, Musgrove Park, UK. mandietownsend@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: MacIver
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bilku
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000175:diagnosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013577:Syndrome; D014463:Ultrasonography