Pernigo M, Canneto B, Betta D, Molinari G, Ribichini F, Zannini G, Vassanelli C, Rossi A. Dyspnea following thoracostomy closure after right pneumonectomy: An uncommon echocardiographic diagnosis and therapeutic approach.
Echocardiography 2017;
34:782-785. [PMID:
28295572 DOI:
10.1111/echo.13505]
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Abstract
Dyspnea and hypoxemia are common postoperative problems after pneumonectomy. One of the rarer causes of respiratory distress after right pneumonectomy is the development of a significant right-to-left shunt across a patent foramen ovale (PFO), which can evolve at a variable interval of time after the operation. We report here our experience with a patient who underwent right pneumonectomy, followed by several complications, and who presented severe dyspnea 7 months later, after the closure of a right thoracostomy. This report outlines the management of this challenging clinical condition; transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) provided a clear diagnosis and guided an effective percutaneous treatment.
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