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Cor pulmonale, also known as pulmonary hypertensive heart disease, is characterized by right ventricular hypertrophy, dilation, and potential failure. It is caused by pulmonary hypertension, which follows a variety of disorders.
a simple case introducing clincial presentation and calling for a differential diagnosis to get students thinking.
Diseases of the lung parenchyma
Diseases of pulmonary vessels
Disorders affecting chest movement
Disorders inducing pulmonary arterial constriction
The right ventricular dilation following left-sided failure or congenital problems is similar to that of cor pulmonale.
Cor pulmonale can be acute or chronic.
Acute cor pulmonale can follow a massive pulmonary embolism. Marked dilation occurs without hypertrophy.
Chronic cor pulmonale suggests prolonged pressure overload caused by obstruction of pulmonary arteries or arterioles or by destruction of septal capillaries. The right ventricular wall thickens and my even begin to approximate the left ventricle.
Secondary compression of the left ventricular chamber or tricuspid regurgitation can follow fibrous thickening of the valve.
ECG shows:
Case #2 - a small story wrapping it all up and asking especially about management.
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