Cor pulmonale

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Cor pulmonale is defined as an failure of the structure and function of the right ventricle which is caused by an underlying primary disorder of the respiratory system. It generally chronic and slowly progressive course although acute onset or worsening with life-threatening complications can occur.

Pathology

Causes

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
pulmonary manifestations of cystic fibrosis
interstitial lung disease
massive pulmonary emboli - for acute cor pulmonale^3,4
acute respiratory distress syndrome - for acute cor pulmonale³

Radiographic features

Echocardiography

May show dilatation of the left ventricular cavity or thickening of the right ventricular free wall ⁶

Treatment and prognosis

It generally carries a poor prognosis. Long-term oxygen therapy is often considered the main treatment option.

~~-<li>massive <a href="/articles/pulmonary-embolism">pulmonary emboli</a> - for acute cor pulmonale 3,4~~
+<li>massive <a href="/articles/pulmonary-embolism">pulmonary emboli</a> - for acute cor pulmonale
~~-<a href="/articles/adult-respiratory-distress-syndrome">acute respiratory distress syndrome</a> - for acute cor pulmonale 3~~
~~-</li>~~
+<a href="/articles/adult-respiratory-distress-syndrome">acute respiratory distress syndrome</a> - for acute cor pulmonale</li>

References changed:

1. Pattynama PM, Willems LN, Smit AH et-al. Early diagnosis of cor pulmonale with MR imaging of the right ventricle. Radiology. 1992;182 (2): 375-9. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1531092">Pubmed citation</a>
5. Saito H, Dambara T, Aiba M et-al. Evaluation of cor pulmonale on a modified short-axis section of the heart by magnetic resonance imaging. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 1992;146 (6): 1576-81. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm/146.6.1576">doi:10.1164/ajrccm/146.6.1576</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1456578">Pubmed citation</a>
6. Wiedemann HP, Matthay RA. Cor pulmonale in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Circulatory pathophysiology and management. Clin. Chest Med. 1990;11 (3): 523-45. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1976054">Pubmed citation</a>
2. S. Cor pulmonale. Treatment implications of right versus left ventricular impairment. Postgrad Med. 1992;91 (6): 227-36. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1579529">Pubmed citation</a>
3. Vandiviere HM. Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. South. Med. J. 1993;86 (10): 2S7-10. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8211354">Pubmed citation</a>
4. Matthay RA, Berger HJ. Cardiovascular function in cor pulmonale. Clin. Chest Med. 1983;4 (2): 269-95. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6133667">Pubmed citation</a>

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