A 68-Year-Old Patient With Dyspnea and Hypoxemia After Total Hip Arthroplasty

CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old patient with obesity (BMI, 4 7 kg/m2) was transferred to the ED of our hospital because of dyspnea and pronounced hypoxemia. The patient un-derwent total right hip arthroplasty in an outside hospital because of osteoarthritis; there was no history of trauma. After 48 h, she experienced dyspnea with severe hypoxemia. The next day she was transferred to our hospital. Her history was notable for arterial hypertension and depression, but not heart failure. Her medications included candesartan (16 mg once daily) and sertraline (100 mg once daily). Perioperatively, she received enoxaparin 4.000 Interna-tional Units subcutaneously once daily. There was no family history of respiratory diseases. The patient currently smokes (50 pack-years) with no recent increase in her habit and denied vaping, alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, and any home or occupational exposures. Prior to surgery, the family of the patient reported that she maintained modest mobility despite her osteoarthritis and was able to fulfill her daily activities. Interestingly, she reported a similar event of severe dyspnea and hypoxemia after total knee arthroplasty 3 years earlier; however, no further details were available CHEST 2023; 164(4):e107-e110

Automated summary

This case presentation describes a 68-year-old obese patient who was admitted to the hospital with dyspnea and severe hypoxemia. The patient had previously undergone hip arthroplasty and experienced similar symptoms after a knee arthroplasty 3 years ago. The patient had a history of hypertension and depression, and was a current smoker.