DOI: 10.12890/2022_003385

Severe Pneumonia Caused by SARS-CoV-2: A Novel Cause of Platypnoea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome

Authors

  • José Pedro Abreu Fernandes Serviço de Medicina Interna, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal
  • João Santos Faria Serviço de Medicina Física e Reabilitação, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Andreia Fernandes Serviço de Endocrinologia, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Coimbra Francisco Gentil, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Ana Rita Ramalho Serviço de Medicina Interna, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Adriana Girão Serviço de Medicina Interna, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal
  • Maja Petrova Serviço de Medicina Interna, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal

jpabreufernandes@gmail.com

Keywords

Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome, COVID-19, severe pneumonia, rehabilitation

Abstract

Platypnoea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is a condition characterized by dyspnoea and hypoxaemia while sitting or standing, which improves during decubitus. It is usually caused by intracardiac right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale but may also occur due to pulmonary ventilation-perfusion mismatch of other aetiologies. A new cause of POS was recently described: SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. We report the case of a 62-year-old man admitted for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia with respiratory failure. Chest computed tomography angiography showed pulmonary thromboembolism and parenchymal lung changes compatible with COVID-19. He had worsening dyspnoea in a sitting position, relieved by assuming the dorsal position. He was diagnosed with POS after other causes were excluded. POS is an underdiagnosed complication of COVID-19 and is manageable with respiratory rehabilitation.

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References

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Published

2022-08-19

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 8 (2022)

Categories

How to Cite

1.
Abreu Fernandes JP, Santos Faria J, Fernandes A, Ramalho AR, Girão A, Petrova M. Severe Pneumonia Caused by SARS-CoV-2: A Novel Cause of Platypnoea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2022 Aug. 19 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];9(8). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/3385