Cor pulmonale

Question 1

What is cor pulmonale?

Answer 1

Right-sided heart failure caused by respiratory disease.

Question 2

What is the pathophysiology of cor pulmanle?

Answer 2

Increased pressure and resistance in the pulmonary arteries cause the right ventricle to ineffectively pump blood out of the ventricle and into the pulmonary arteries -> back pressure of blood in the right atrium, VC and systemic venous system.

Question 3

What are the respiratory causes of cor pulmanale?

Answer 3

COPD, PE, intersitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, primary pulmonary hypertension

Question 4

What are the main presenting symptoms of cor pulmonale?

Answer 4

Presenting complaint of shortness of breath, peripheral oedema, breathlessness on exertion, syncope

Question 5

What are the other signs on examination of cor pulmanale?

Answer 5

hypoxia, cyanosis, raised JVP, peripheral oedema, third heart sound, pan-systolic in tricuspid regurgitation, hepatomegaly.

Question 6

What is the management options of cor pulmale?

Answer 6

treating