Cor Pulmonale

Question 1

What simply is cor pulmonale?

Answer 1

Right sided heart failure caused by respiratory disease

Question 2

Explain physiology of cor pulmonale?

Answer 2

Increased pressure and resistance in pulmonary arteries (Pulmonary hypertension)
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Right ventricle being unable to effectively pump blood out of ventricle and into pulmonary arteries
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Leads to back pressure of blood in RA, vena cava and systemic venous system

Question 3

Respiratory causes of Cor pulmonale?

Answer 3

COPD (most common)
Pulmonary embolism
Interstitial lung disease 
CF 
Primary pulmonary Hypertension

Question 4

Early presentation of cor pulmonale?

Answer 4

Asymptomatic

Question 5

Main presenting complaints for cor pulmonale?

Answer 5

SOB
but also can be
Peripheral oedema, syncope, chest pain, increased breathlessness on exertion

Question 6

Signs and symptoms of cor pulmonale?

Answer 6

Hypoxia
Cyanosis
Raised JVP (backlog of blood in jugular vein)
Peripheral oedema
3rd heart sound
Murmurs (pan systolic in tricuspid regurgitation
Hepatomegaly

Question 7

Treatment?

Answer 7

Treat symptoms or underlying cause, not usually a great prognosis unless underlying cause is fixed