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Related Concept Videos

Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction01:20

Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction

Mitral regurgitation is characterized by the backward circulation of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole, a phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. This abnormal flow occurs primarily due to the dysfunction of the mitral valve or its supporting structures, which include the mitral leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, and papillary muscles.Etiology and Mechanisms:Primary Mitral Regurgitation: This type arises from...
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis01:30

Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe health condition in which the mean pulmonary arterial pressure increases to 25 mmHg or more, even when the body is at rest. This high pressure in the blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the lungs can cause various symptoms, including shortness of breath, can lead to right heart failure, and significantly affect the overall quality of life.
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
Pulmonary Edema II: Pathophysiology01:18

Pulmonary Edema II: Pathophysiology

Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the interstitial and alveolar spaces of the lungs, impairing gas exchange and oxygen delivery. It may be cardiogenic or noncardiogenic, but both reduce oxygenation and lung compliance.Cardiogenic Pulmonary EdemaCardiogenic edema results from increased hydrostatic pressure in pulmonary capillaries, usually due to left ventricular dysfunction from myocardial infarction, heart failure, or valvular disease. Ineffective cardiac pumping causes blood to...
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.01:25

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.

Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

A Pulmonary Trunk Banding Model of Pressure Overload Induced Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Failure
06:47

A Pulmonary Trunk Banding Model of Pressure Overload Induced Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Failure

Published on: November 29, 2018

Cor pulmonale.

E Weitzenblum1, A Chaouat

  • 1University Hospital, Strasbourg, France . emmanuel.weitzenblum@chru-strasbourg.fr

Chronic Respiratory Disease
|August 1, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cor pulmonale, defined as pulmonary hypertension (PH) from lung disease, often leads to right heart failure. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the primary cause, with long-term oxygen therapy as the main treatment for PH.

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The Left Pneumonectomy Combined with Monocrotaline or Sugen as a Model of Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats
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The Left Pneumonectomy Combined with Monocrotaline or Sugen as a Model of Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats

Published on: March 8, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

A Pulmonary Trunk Banding Model of Pressure Overload Induced Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Failure
06:47

A Pulmonary Trunk Banding Model of Pressure Overload Induced Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Failure

Published on: November 29, 2018

The Left Pneumonectomy Combined with Monocrotaline or Sugen as a Model of Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats
07:29

The Left Pneumonectomy Combined with Monocrotaline or Sugen as a Model of Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats

Published on: March 8, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Cor pulmonale lacks a consensual definition, often referring to pulmonary hypertension (PH) from lung diseases causing right ventricular enlargement and potential right heart failure (RHF).
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the leading cause of cor pulmonale, preceding conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and obesity-hypoventilation syndrome.
  • In chronic respiratory disease (CRD), PH is pre-capillary, characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) primarily due to chronic alveolar hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the definition and pathophysiology of cor pulmonale, focusing on its relationship with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in chronic respiratory diseases (CRD).
  • To describe the characteristics of PH in CRD, particularly COPD, including its typical severity and factors that can exacerbate it.
  • To review current treatment strategies for PH in CRD, emphasizing the role of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and potential roles for vasodilators.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing definitions and understanding of cor pulmonale and pulmonary hypertension (PH).
  • Analysis of the causes and mechanisms of PH in chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), with a focus on COPD.
  • Evaluation of the current evidence for treatment modalities, including long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and vasodilators.

Main Results:

  • PH in CRD, especially COPD, is typically mild to moderate (mean PAP 20-35 mmHg) but can worsen with exercise, sleep, or exacerbations, potentially leading to RHF.
  • A small subset (<5%) of COPD patients develop severe or disproportionate PH (PAP >40 mmHg) through mechanisms not fully understood.
  • Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is the primary treatment, stabilizing or reversing PH progression by addressing alveolar hypoxia, though PAP rarely normalizes.

Conclusions:

  • Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in chronic respiratory disease (CRD) is best defined by its presence and consequences, with COPD being the most common etiology.
  • While LTOT is the cornerstone treatment for PH in CRD, its efficacy in normalizing pulmonary artery pressure is limited.
  • Further controlled studies are needed to establish the role of vasodilators in managing severe PH associated with CRD.