Case of positional dyspnoea and hypoxia secondary to intracardiac shunting

Platypnea-orthodexia syndrome (POS) is a rare but well-characterised condition where hypoxaemia and breathlessness occur while upright but resolve once recumbent. Early recognition can result in excellent outcomes for patients and can prevent unnecessary investigations for patients, especially if they present repeatedly to hospital after missed diagnosis. We present a case of a 75-year-old woman with a chronic history of breathlessness who was picked up after observations at a routine outpatient clinic. Early recognition of the POS allowed for appropriate investigations to take place identifying a patent foramen ovale (PFO). She was referred to the tertiary centre for closure of her PFO with complete resolution of her symptoms.