COR PULMONALE

Cor Pulmonale
1. Is pulmonary (left sided) HHD secondary to pulmonary hypertension induced by intrinsic disease of the lungs or pulmonary vasculature.
2. It is characterized by Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
3. Massive pulmonary embolism usually results in Chronic Cor Pulmonale
4. Acute Cor Pulmonale is a cause of sudden death
5. Systemic Hypertension can cause Cor Pulmonale
The following lung diseases can result in Cor Pulmonale
1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
2. Diffuse Pulmonary Interstitial Fibrosis
3. Pneumoconiosis
4. Cystic Fibrosis
5. Bronchiectasis
The following statements are true of Cor pulmonale
1. Primary Pulmonary Hypertension is a known cause
2. Kyphoscoliosis and marked obesity predispose to it
3. A nutmeg appearance of the liver is classical in acute cases
4. Haemosiderosis may be seen in the spleen
5. Severe pulmonary oedema is always present
In Chronic Cor Pulmonale these features may be present
1. Right ventricular wall thickening of >0.5cm.
2. Hypertrophied trabeculae
3. Thickened outflow tract
4. Ventricular septum bulges to the left compressing LV
5. Tricuspid regugitation