Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 29, 2025

Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale PFO: An Intervention Sequence
Published on: December 23, 2022
Patent Foramen Ovale With Platypnea - Orthodeoxia Syndrome: A Case Report
Sabawoon Mirwais1, Maiwand Mirwais2, Alveena Altaf3
1Internal Medicine, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, USA.
Abstract:
Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is an extraordinary medical condition characterized by positional dyspnea (platypnea) and arterial desaturation or hypoxemia (orthodeoxia) in the setting of an upright position. The difficulty breathing is alleviated upon lying down. It is the opposite of orthopnea and is manifested by a decrease in oxygen saturation when changing from supine to an orthostatic position. POS can have an intracardiac or an extracardiac etiology. Herein we report a case of an 87-year-old man presenting with acute on chronic dyspnea who showed promising improvement in oxygen saturation after patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings II: Auscultation
Abnormal Heart Sounds
Gallops:
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...

