Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
07:27
Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
Published on: January 23, 2026
[Hypoxemia 4 month after right-sided pneumonectomy].
O Mühling1, M Koller, A Langbein
1Fachbereich Kardiologie, Herz- und Gefäßklinik, Rhön Klinik AG, Salzburgerleite 1, 97616 Bad Neustadt Saale. olaf.muehling@kardiologie-bad-neustadt.de
Der Internist
|July 16, 2011
Summary
Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, a rare condition, can cause shortness of breath after lung surgery. Interventional closure of a right-to-left shunt through a persistent foramen ovale successfully improved oxygen levels and reduced dyspnea in a post-pneumonectomy patient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Interventions
Background:
- A 64-year-old male experienced progressive dyspnea four months post-right pneumonectomy for lung cancer.
- Symptoms suggested platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome, characterized by decreased oxygen saturation in an upright position.
Observation:
- A 64-year-old male presented with worsening dyspnea four months after right pneumonectomy for lung cancer.
- Symptoms included decreased oxygen saturation in the upright position, indicative of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome.
- Imaging revealed right hemidiaphragm and liver shift compressing the right atrium.
Findings:
- A right-to-left shunt through a persistent foramen ovale was confirmed via right heart catheterization.
- This shunt was caused by the elevated diaphragm and liver impinging on the right atrium.
- Interventional closure of the shunt led to immediate improvement.
Implications:
- Interventional closure is an effective treatment for post-pneumonectomy platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome.
- This approach can rapidly restore arterial oxygenation and alleviate dyspnea.
- Highlights the importance of considering rare cardiopulmonary complications after thoracic surgery.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-II
Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
01:10Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology
Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...
01:26Pneumothorax-I
A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:08Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Pneumothorax means the presence of air in the pleural space — the thin potential gap between the visceral and parietal pleura. This condition disrupts the normal pressure balance that keeps the lungs inflated, leading to partial or complete collapse of the affected lung.Normal physiologyUnder normal conditions, the pleural space maintains a slightly negative intrapleural pressure, which keeps the lungs expanded against the chest wall. This negative pressure creates a delicate balance between...
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations: