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Left ventricular volumetry and function in chronic cor pulmonale

V Jezek

    Cor Et Vasa
    |January 1, 1981
    PubMed

    Insights

    Chronic obstructive bronchopulmonary disease does not cause left ventricular contractile insufficiency. However, some patients exhibit abnormal heart pressures, impacting systolic performance despite normal ejection fraction.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Pulmonology
    • Cardiovascular Physiology

    Background:

    • Chronic cor pulmonale, often linked to chronic obstructive bronchopulmonary disease (COPD), can affect cardiovascular function.
    • The precise impact of COPD on left ventricular (LV) function, particularly in the absence of other cardiovascular diseases, requires further elucidation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate left ventricular (LV) structure and function in patients with chronic cor pulmonale, excluding other cardiovascular conditions.
    • To determine the relationship between pulmonary hypertension and observed LV abnormalities.

    Main Methods:

    • Cardiac catheterization and coronary arteriography were performed on 19 patients with chronic cor pulmonale.
    • Assessment included evaluation of LV hypertrophy, filling pressures, compliance, and ejection fraction.

    Main Results:

    • A subset of patients displayed left ventricular hypertrophy, elevated filling pressures, and reduced compliance.
    • Left ventricular ejection fraction remained normal and did not correlate with elevated filling pressures.
    • These LV abnormalities correlated with the degree of pulmonary hypertension and LV hypertrophy with reduced compliance.

    Conclusions:

    • Chronic obstructive bronchopulmonary disease does not lead to left ventricular contractile insufficiency at rest.
    • In some patients, normal systolic performance is maintained under abnormal hemodynamic conditions, specifically elevated LV filling pressures.
    • The findings suggest that pulmonary hypertension in COPD can induce significant left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

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