What Is Cor Pulmonale?

By amanda

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. Biswas, Abhishek. Preventing the development of acute cor pulmonale in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: the first step. Annals of Translational Medicine vol. 4, 7 (2016). doi: 10.21037/atm.2016.03.18
• 2. Howlett, Jonathan G. Cor Pulmonale. Merck Manuals Professional Edition (2020). https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/heart-failure/cor-pulmonale
• 3. Leong, Derek et al. Cor Pulmonale. MedScape (2019). https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/154062-overview

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7. Treatment & Management

Emergency treatment for acute cor pulmonale includes the administration of intravenous fluids and vasoconstrictors, such as epinephrine, to regulate blood pressure, sometimes accompanied by phlebotomy to further relieve pressure. With early treatment, doctors can reverse acute cases, allowing the right ventricle to gradually return to its normal size.²Howlett, Jonathan G. Cor Pulmonale. Merck Manuals Professional Edition (2020). https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/heart-failure/cor-pulmonale

Once a patient experiencing acute symptoms is stable, doctors focus on treating the underlying lung problem.²Howlett, Jonathan G. Cor Pulmonale. Merck Manuals Professional Edition (2020). https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/heart-failure/cor-pulmonale Those with chronic cor pulmonale receive oxygen therapy and other treatments, depending on the cause. For example, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty relieves symptoms in those with sleep apnea and embolectomy treats pulmonary embolism and hemodynamic instability.³Leong, Derek et al. Cor Pulmonale. MedScape (2019). https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/154062-overview