Platypnea-Orthodeoxy Syndrome Associated with COVID-19 Pneumonia in which Tamsulosin Use May Prolong Treatment: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) is an extremely rare condition. There are no other cases in the literature where tamsulosin has been reported to prolong POS treatment. Case: A 67-year-old male patient was hospitalized due to COVID-19. He was followed up in the ward after being in the intensive care unit for ten days. There was a significant decrease in saturation (SaO2) when sitting and standing compared to lying. He was diagnosed with POS. However, there was no significant improvement in POS with exercises. After stopping the tamsulosin he was using, there was a dramatic improvement. He was discharged on the 72nd day of his hospitalization. Conclusion: Due to COVID-19, POS is more likely to appear than before. It is a condition that clinicians should recognize. The pathophysiology of POS has not been fully elucidated. The case we present suggests that alpha-blockers may also be related to pathophysiology.