cor pulmonale

Last edited 08/2022

Cor pulmonale is lung disease complicated by the following:

• right ventricular failure
• fluid retention
• chronic hypoxia

Excluded is right ventricular enlargement secondary to:

• diseases of the left side of the heart
• congenital heart disease

Management (1):

• patients presenting with cor pulmonale should be assessed for the need for long-term oxygen therapy
• ensure that people with cor pulmonale caused by COPD are offered COPD treatment
• oedema associated with cor pulmonale can usually be controlled symptomatically with diuretic therapy
• the following are not recommended for the treatment of cor pulmonale:
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
• calcium channel blockers
• alpha-blockers
• digoxin (unless there is atrial fibrillation)

Reference:

• 1) NICE (July 2019). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in over 16s: diagnosis and management