Cor pulmonale (patient information)

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Cor pulmonale

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Cor pulmonale?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Cor pulmonale On the Web

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Directions to Hospitals Treating Cor pulmonale

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D.[2] Phone:617-849-2629

Overview

Cor pulmonale is failure of the right side of the heart brought on by long-term high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle of the heart.

What are the symptoms of Cor pulmonale?

What causes Cor pulmonale?

Normally, the left side of the heart produces a higher blood pressure in order to pump blood to the body. The right side of the heart pumps blood through the lungs under much lower pressure.

Any condition that leads to prolonged high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (called pulmonary hypertension) puts a strain on the right side of the heart. When the right ventricle is unable to properly pump against these abnormally high pressures, it is called cor pulmonale.

Almost any chronic lung disease or condition causing prolonged low blood oxygen levels can lead to cor pulmonale. A few of these causes include:

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you experience shortness of breath or chest pain.

Diagnosis

By physical examination:

The following tests may help diagnose cor pulmonale:

Treatment options

Treatment is directed at the illness that is causing cor pulmonale. Supplemental oxygen may be prescribed to increase the level of oxygen in the blood.

There are many medicines available to treat cor pulmonale.

Blood thinning (anticoagulant) medications may also be prescribed. Surgery may be needed to reverse heart defects that cause the condition. In very advanced cases, a heart and lung transplant may be advised.

Where to find medical care for Cor pulmonale?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cor pulmonale

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The outcome depends on the cause of the condition. Giving oxygen often improves symptoms, stamina, and survival.

Treating primary pulmonary hypertension often leads to greater stamina and a longer life. In some cases, a lung transplant or heart-lung transplant can extend survival.

Possible complications

Progressive pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale may lead to:

  • Life-threatening shortness of breath
  • Severe fluid retention
  • Shock
  • Death

Prevention

Avoiding behaviors that lead to chronic lung disease (especially cigarette smoking) may prevent the eventual development of cor pulmonale. Careful evaluation of childhood heart murmurs may prevent cor pulmonale caused by certain heart defects.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000129.htm Template:WH Template:WS