Association between Covid-19 infection and platypnea–orthodeoxia syndrome

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Platypnea–orthodeoxia syndrome is defined as dyspnoea and deoxygenation when changing from a recumbent to an upright position. Post-Covid-19 sequelae can induce or exacerbate pulmonary hypertension and thereby render a previously mild and asymptomatic platypnea–orthodeoxia syndrome to manifest with new or worsening symptoms. Case presentation: The authors present the case of an 80-year-old man who following an episode of moderate-severe Covid-19 infection developed type I respiratory failure that required hospital discharge with long-term oxygen therapy. He had a background history of postural paroxysmal hypoxaemia which had previously raised the suspicion of a right-to-left shunt through either a patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defect or an intrapulmonary arteriovenous malformation. However, given the low burden of symptoms this was not explored further. Following recovery from Covid-19 infection, the patient experienced marked dyspnoea and oxygen desaturation in an upright position that was relieved by a return to a supine position. Discussion and conclusion: Persistent dyspnoea and hypoxia are common symptoms in patients who experience post‐Covid‐19 syndrome. However, when patients with prior moderate-to-severe Covid-19 illness present with new onset breathlessness and/or desaturation that is worsened in an upright position, platypnea–orthodeoxia syndrome should be considered.