What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the role of patent foramen ovale in worsening hypoxemia in a patient with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

February 12, 2026Open Access

Worsening Hypoxemia in a Patient With Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis: Role of Patent Foramen Ovale Mediated Right‐to‐Left Shunt

Key Points

To examine the role of patent foramen ovale in worsening hypoxemia in a patient with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.
Evaluation of hypoxemia in the elderly patient with a history of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.
Identification of patent foramen ovale as a right-to-left shunt causative factor.
Transcatheter closure of the patent foramen ovale was performed.
Transcatheter closure successfully resolved the patient's hypoxemia.
The case highlights the importance of assessing intracardiac shunts in patients with hypoxia.

Abstract

ABSTRACT PFO mediated right‐to‐left shunt was found to be responsible for worsening exertional hypoxemia in an elderly patient with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Transcatheter PFO closure resolved the hypoxemia. This case highlights the need to evaluate intracardiac shunts in hypoxic patients, even with coexisting pulmonary pathology.

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