They include chronic coughing, wheezing, weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Edema (abnormal buildup of fluid), weakness, and discomfort in the upper chest may be evident in cor pulmonale
85% of patients diagnosed with cor pulmonale have COPD
The prognosis for cor pulmonale is poor, particularly because it occurs late in the process of serious disease
Cor pulmonale is best prevented by prevention of COPD and other irreversible diseases that lead to heart failure
A large pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clot) may lead to acute cor pulmonale
Treatment of cor pulmonale is aimed at increasing a patient's exercise tolerance and improving oxygen levels of the arterial blood
Cor Pulmonale
Cor pulmonale
Tests used to support a diagnosis of cor pulmonale may include arterial blood gas analysis, pulmonary function tests, x-rays, MRIs, and hematocrit
Cor Pulmonale is increased strain on the right side of the heart due to lung diseases that increase the pressure of the blood flowing through the lungs. The right ventricle tries to push blood through the diseased and usually scarred lung via vessels called pulmonary arteries, but has trouble doing this because of the scarring, resulting in increased pressure in the artery and therefore the right ventricle. The right ventricle compensates by getting bigger, and ultimately stops working so well.
This condition can lead to heart failure
right-sided heart failure, when the right ventricle is hypertrophied or dilated which is secondary to pulmonary hypertension (usu. d/t pulmonary embolism in acute cor pulmonale, but d/t COPD in chronic cor pulmonale)
Cor pulmonale