Cor Pulmonale Flashcards
What is Cor Pulmonale?
Right sided heart failure secondary to chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension
What are some lung disease causes of cor pulmonale?
Asthma, COPD, Bronchiectasis and Pulmonary fibrosis
What are some pulmonary vascular disease causes of cor pulmonale?
PE, ARDS, Vasculitis and Sickle cell
What are some thoracic cage abnormality causes of cor pulmonale?
Kyphosis and Scoliosis
What are some neurological / neuromuscular causes of cor pulmonale?
MND, Myasthenia and Stroke
What are some hypoventilation causes of cor pulmonale?
Sleep apnoea
What are the main symptoms of cor pulmonale?
SOB, fatigue, syncope
What are the main signs of cor pulmonale?
Cyanosis, raised JVP, hepatomegaly, peripheral oedema, dilated chest veins
What investigations would be done to confirm a diagnosis of cor pulmonale?
FBC, ABG, CXR and ECG
What FBC results would be indicative of cor pulmonale?
May show secondary polycythemia
What ABG results would be indicative of cor pulmonale?
Hypoxia with or without hypercapnia
What CXR results would be indicative of cor pulmonale?
Dilated right atrium/ventricles
What ECG results would be indicative of cor pulmonale?
Right axis deviation, right ventricular hypertrophy
What is the management of cor pulmonale?
- Treat underlying cause
- Treat respiratory failure (Long term oxygen therapy)
- Treat cardiac failure (diuretics)
- Vensection (if heamatocrit > 55%)
