HYPOVOLEMIA RESULTING IN PLATYPNEA-ORTHODEOXIA SYNDROME

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. Published by Elsevier Inc.