Authors : Suresh Kumar Cherlopalli, Narendra Kumar Narahari
DOI : 10.18231/2456-012X.2018.0003
Volume : 3
Issue : 1
Year : 0
Page No : 7-11
Background: Cor pulmonale is defined as an alteration in the structure and function of the right ventricle (RV) of the heart caused by a primary disorder of the respiratory system. Pulmonary hypertension is often the common link between lung dysfunction and the heart in cor pulmonale. Right-sided ventricular disease caused by a primary abnormality of the left side of the heart or congenital heart disease is not considered cor pulmonale, but cor pulmonale can develop secondary to a wide variety of cardiopulmonary disease processes.
Materials and Methods: Total 102 patients were included in the study with complaints of respiratory symptoms and relevant clinical signs with the aim of studying the commonest respiratory disease leading to cor pulmonale.
Results: Out of 102 patients, 85 were males and 17 females; smoking and agricultural pollutants were the common predisposing factors; and the most common disease leading to cor pulmonale was pulmonary tuberculosis with COPD of various etiologies.
Conclusions: Cor pulmonale is a state of cardiopulmonary dysfunction that may result from several different etiologies and pathophysiologic mechanisms. The prognosis for a particular patient with corpulmonale is inextricably linked to that of the underlying pulmonary disease or disorder. Long-term treatment and follow-up is required for better survival and better quality of life.
Keywords: Cor pulmonale; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); Tuberculosis.