Clin Med: Cor Pulmonale and Pulm HTN

Question 1

Cor Pulmonale Pathophysiology

Answer 1

Right sided heart failure due to chronic pulmonary disease
results in increased right sided end diastolic pressure and right atrial enlargement

Question 2

Acute Cor Pulmonale is usually due to

Answer 2

PE

Question 3

Chronic Cor Pulmonale is usually due to

Answer 3

COPD

Question 4

What are two things that are not considered Cor Pulmonale

Answer 4

congenital heart disease and right sided HF due to left sided HF

Question 5

Effects of Cor Pulmonale

Answer 5

peripheral edema due to elevated R atrial pressure
ascites
increased RBCs to optimize oxygenation (Plethora)
Drowsiness and CO2 retention

Question 6

What is the core cause of Cor Pulmonale

Answer 6

Pulmonary HTN

Question 7

Pulm HTN pathophysiology

Answer 7

increased pulmonary artery pressure due to intimal fibrosis (smooth muscle hypertrophy) –> Cor pulmonale

Question 8

Two types of Pulm HTN

Answer 8

primary - rare (idiopathic and self perpetuating)
secondary - more common (due to lung or blood vessel disease)

Question 9

Common cause of Pulm HTN

Answer 9

OSA

Question 10

Sx of Pulm HTN

Answer 10

SOB with exertion
Syncope with exertion (severe cases)
Sometimes: CP, Cough, fatigue

Question 11

Late finding of Pulm HTN

Answer 11

tricuspid regurgitation

Question 12

Evaluation of Pulm HTN

Answer 12

X-ray
CT scan
ECHO
Cath Lab - to find R sided pressure

Question 13

most common treatment of Pulmonary HTN

Answer 13

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors - sildenafil