clinical manifestations

Last reviewed 09/2021

Patients with severe pectus excavatum show cardiorespiratory problems and increased susceptibility to infection.

Patients with a mild to moderate funnel chest tend to be asymptomatic at rest. However, studies conducted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute conclude that these patients:

• have cardiac and respiratory insufficiency
• have significantly lower working capacity in the sitting position than the supine position
• demonstrate a lower increase in stroke volume when going from rest to exercise in the sitting position compared to normal patients - believed to result from poorer ventricular filling
• show marked improvements in cardiac output during intense upright exercise following corrective surgery

Reference:

• Beiser et al (1972). Impairment of cardiac function with Pectus excavatum. NEJM, 287, 267.