Abstract

FRANQUELO MORALES, Pablo; REAGENS, Achille; GONZALEZ MARTINEZ, Félix  and  GARCIA MATEOS, David. "The heart bigger than the box": a case of Cor Pulmonale. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2009, vol.2, n.7, pp.371-373. ISSN 2386-8201.

Cor pulmonale (CP) occurs when there is increased pressure in the lungs, causing enlargement of the right ventricle (VD) due to pressure overload. Approximately 20-30% of hospital admissions for congestive heart failure are due to right ventricular failure associated with CP. The most common cause is COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The clinical, elctrocardiogram, and chest X-ray examinations are non-specific. Doppler echocardiogram is the non-invasive diagnostic method of choice , however cardiac catheterization is the gold standard. Treatment is based on diuretics, vasodilators and long-term oxygen.

Keywords : Pulmonary Heart Disease; Pulmonary Disease; Chronic Obstructive; Hypertension Pulmonary.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )