Hypovolemia Resulting in Platypnea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome

Stephen Ducey, Jeffrey Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a rare disease entity that is characterized by dyspnea and desaturation in the upright position that resolves when the patient is in the supine position. Case Report An 80-year-old man presented with epistaxis but was noted to be hypoxic and was unresponsive to supplemental oxygenation. His oxygen saturation improved with supine positioning, however, which is consistent with platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. This improved with overnight intravenous hydration. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? In patients with hypoxia and paradoxical improvement in oxygen saturation with supine positioning, consider platypnea-orthodeoxia as a potential cause.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)482-484
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine
Volume50
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2016

Keywords

  • hypovolemia
  • hypoxia
  • platypnea-orthodeoxia
  • platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

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