Cor pulmonale
Cor pulmonale is lung disease complicated by the following:
- right ventricular failure
- fluid retention
- chronic hypoxia
Excluded is right ventricular enlargement secondary to:
- diseases of the left side of the heart
- congenital heart disease
Management (1):
- patients presenting with cor pulmonale should be assessed for the need for long-term oxygen therapy
- ensure that people with cor pulmonale caused by COPD are offered COPD treatment
- oedema associated with cor pulmonale can usually be controlled symptomatically with diuretic therapy
- the following are not recommended for the treatment of cor pulmonale:
- angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
- calcium channel blockers
- alpha-blockers
- digoxin (unless there is atrial fibrillation)
Reference:
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