Work

“Worse With Sitting”: A Case of Severe Hypoxia Due to an Undiscovered Patent Foramen Ovale

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a cardiac shunt that results when the foramen ovale fails to close after birth. While it is relatively common, most cases are asymptomatic. The primary clinical implication of PFO is an increased risk of cryptogenic stroke. Accordingly, most literature addresses PFO through the lens of treating/preventing neurological disease. Much less research has been devoted to the minority of patients who suffer pulmonary and cardiovascular symptoms that are directly caused by their PFO. Here, we discuss a case of an elderly female patient presenting with hypoxia requiring high respiratory support, later found to be the result of a large, previously unknown PFO.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.79848

Authors: Chan Woo Kim, Jonathan Weiss, Kaavya Mandi, Curtis A Hendrix, Gerardo Carino

Institution: Brown University

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular and Diving-Related Complications

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4408031251