Posture Dependent Hypoxia Following Lobectomy: The Achilles Tendon of the Lung Surgeon?

: Platypnoea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome is an uncommon phenomenon characterized by dyspnea/arterial desaturation in the standing position, resolving in recumbency. Some patients present with Platypnoea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome in the early-or-late post-operative period after major lung resection (lobectomy/pneumonectomy). The main cause of Platypnoea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome is an intracardiac anomaly (Patent Foramen Ovalis/Atrial Septal Defect) leading to right-to-left shunt.