Interní Med. 2016; 18(2): 83-86 | DOI: 10.36290/int.2016.020

Cor pulmonale chronicum

MUDr.Martina Tuháčková, doc.MUDr.Jaromír Chlumský, Ph.D.

Interní klinika 2. LF UK a FN Motol, Praha

Cor pulmonale is a clinical term defined as an alteration in the structure and /or function of the right ventricle caused by a precapillary

pulmonary hypertension. Worldwide, the most common cause of chronic cor pulmonale is chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease (COPD). Diseases complicated by cor pulmonale have a worse survival rate than the same disease without malfunction

of the right ventricule. Symptoms of cor pulmonale include dyspnea, lethargy, exertional syncope, and exertional chest pain.

Echocardiography is the most used diagnostic method. Major goals of this treatment include reduction of the right ventricular

afterload, a decrease of the right ventricular pressure, an improvement of the right ventricular contractility, and especially treating

the cause of pulmonary hypertension.

Keywords: cor pulmonale chronicum, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dyspnoe, right

Published: May 1, 2016  Show citation