Percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure for hypoxaemia at the age of 73: a case report showing immediate benefit

Abstract

Background Approximately 25% of the general population has a patent foramen ovale which remains asymptomatic in the vast majority. Right-to-left shunt mediated hypoxemia is a rare associated condition of patent foramen ovale. Case summary This report describes a case of percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure for hypoxemia in a seventy-three year-old patient showing immediate clinical benefit. She experienced progressive dyspnoea on exertion requiring oxygen therapy. SaO2 was 87% at rest without oxygen therapy, which increased to 98% after percutaneous PFO closure. Conclusion Most PFOs remain clinically insignificant but RLS mediated hypoxemia is a rare phenomenon that can occur even at advanced age. Percutaneous PFO closure is a safe and effective therapy option that provides immediate improvement of hypoxemia.