Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2019 | Echocardiography | Case report
Persistent hypoxemia after an asthma attack
Authors:
Cristian Deana, Laura Conangla, Luigi Vetrugno, Massimiliano Saltarini, Stefania Buttera, Tiziana Bove, Flavio Bassi, Amato De Monte
Published in:
The Ultrasound Journal
|
Issue 1/2019
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Abstract
The presence of an unknown intracardiac shunt due to a patent foramen ovale may be an unusual cause of hypoxemia. We report the case of a patient who presented persistent hypoxemia after an adequate treatment for a severe asthma attack requiring intensive care unit admission. The patient underwent a transthoracic microbubbles contrast echocardiography that showed a massive patent foramen ovale. The favorable clinical course and the absence of major signs and symptoms related to patent foramen ovale allowed a conservative approach with a follow-up program. Patent foramen ovale should be suspected in case of persistent hypoxemia after a severe asthma attack had resolved.