Constrictive pericarditis-induced shunting through a PFO: Persistence despite pericardiectomy.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Publication Title

Respir Med Case Rep

Abstract

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is found in around 25-30% of patients. The discovery is often made only on autopsy, as most PFOs are clinically silent and any inter-atrial blood exchange typically shunts from the left to right heart [1]. Thus, when a patient presents with hypoxic respiratory failure, concern for presence of a PFO is rarely at the top of the differential. However, in the setting of elevated right heart pressures, PFOs can become of great hemodynamic importance and can lead to deadly complications, including right to left shunting and refractory hypoxic respiratory failure. We present an unusual care of constrictive pericarditis leading to significant shunting through a PFO, and resultant hypoxic respiratory failure which only resolved with PFO closure.

Volume

22

First Page

28

Last Page

30

DOI

10.1016/j.rmcr.2017.05.008

ISSN

2213-0071

PubMed ID

28649486

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS