PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Madsen, Poul Henning
AU  - Hess, Søren
AU  - Madsen, Helle Dall
TI  - A Case of Unexplained Hypoxemia
AID  - 10.4187/respcare.01612
DP  - 2012 Nov 01
TA  - Respiratory Care
PG  - 1963--1966
VI  - 57
IP  - 11
4099  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/57/11/1963.short
4100  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/57/11/1963.full
AB  - We present a patient with acute-onset dyspnea and unexplained severe hypoxemia. No signs of severe cardiopulmonary disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, or pulmonary embolism were present. The patient was diagnosed with hepatopulmonary syndrome, since liver disease of alcoholic origin was present, markedly increased alveolar-arterial oxygen difference existed, and intrapulmonary vascular dilations were demonstrated. The condition of the patient did not improve and he was referred for liver transplantation, which is the only treatment option with documented efficacy. The case highlights the importance of thinking outside the thorax when evaluating patients with dyspnea.