[Chronic cor pulmonale and heart failure]

The pathophysiology and the treatment of heart failure in patients with chronic cor pulmonale is described. The patients with chronic cor pulmonale were divided into two categories in terms of the cause of the disease, that is, due to chronic respiratory failure and due to chronic pulmonary vascular obstruction. The treatment for the patients in the first category is, mainly to control respiration and to continue chronic oxygen therapy, and in the second category is, to utilize vasodilator and anticoagulant therapy. The results of these treatments are rather poor, though in terms of improvement in the quality of life and the survival. In the patients with chronic respiratory disease, the prevention of chronic cor pulmonale and heart failure is essential.