Atrial Septal Defect Presenting with Dyspnoea in the Upright Position

Abstract

Background: An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease in adults. Signs or symptoms such as shortness of breath, especially when exercising, leg fatigue, heart palpitations, stroke, or heart murmur can be detected. However, some patients with ASD present with uncommon symptoms such as dyspnoea with upright position.

Case Summary: We report the case of a patient with ASD who complained of dyspnoea with upright position. Dyspnoea and desaturation were observed immediately after sitting upright. The patient was diagnosed as having platypnoea—orthodeoxia syndrome. We performed transcatheter ASD closure with no compliments, and the desaturation in the upright position was resolved.

Discussion: Patients with ASD present with different symptoms including dyspnoea with upright position. Therefore, dyspnoea in the upright position should not be overlooked in such patients.