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Updated: Oct 6, 2025
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A Model to Simulate Clinically Relevant Hypoxia in Humans
Published on: December 22, 2016
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Relentless Hypoxia in a Patient With Carcinoid Syndrome
Abdulrhman Alghamdi1, Afnan A Malibari2, Faisal Al-Husayni3,4
1Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, SAU.
Cureus
|January 20, 2022
Summary
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in carcinoid heart disease (CHD) effectively treats hypoxia caused by right-to-left shunts. This intervention relieved symptoms and improved oxygen saturation in a patient with neuroendocrine tumors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) can cause hypoxia due to right-to-left (R-L) intracardiac shunts via a patent foramen ovale (PFO).
- This hypoxia can worsen the patient's clinical condition and impact treatment efficacy.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old female with a neuroendocrine tumor and CHD presented with worsening dyspnea and hypoxia.
- The hypoxia was attributed to an R-L shunt through a PFO.
Findings:
- Percutaneous closure of the PFO using an Amplatzer device was performed.
- The procedure resulted in immediate normalization of oxygen saturation and relief of dyspnea.
Implications:
- Percutaneous PFO closure is a viable treatment for hypoxia in CHD patients.
- This intervention can improve symptoms and potentially reduce further cardiac complications.
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