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Revista Clínica de Medicina de Familia
On-line version ISSN 2386-8201Print version ISSN 1699-695X
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.