Cor Pulmonale

Question 1

What is cor pulmonale?

Answer 1

• Cor pulmonale refers to right-sided heart failure caused by respiratory disease.
• The increased pressure and resistance in the pulmonary arteries(pulmonary hypertension) limits the right ventricle pumping blood into the pulmonary arteries.
• This causes back-pressure into the right atrium, vena cava and systemic venous system.

Question 2

What are some causes of cor pulmonale? (5)

Answer 2

• COPD (the most common cause)
• Pulmonary embolism
• Interstitial lung disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Primary pulmonary hypertension

Question 3

What are some symptoms of cor pulmonale? (5)

Answer 3

○ Shortness of breath
○ Peripheral oedema
○ Breathlessness of exertion
○ Syncope (dizziness and fainting)
○ Chest pain

Question 4

What are some signs of cor pulmonale? (8)

Answer 4

• Hypoxia
• Cyanosis
• Raised JVP (due to a back-log of blood in the jugular veins)
• Peripheral oedema
• Parasternal heave
• Loud second heart sound
• Murmurs (e.g., pan-systolic in tricuspid regurgitation)
Hepatomegaly due to back pressure in the hepatic vein (pulsatile in tricuspid regurgitation)

Question 5

What is the management of cor pulmonale? (3)

Answer 5

Treat symptoms = diuretics for oedema
Treat underlying causes
LTOT