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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2003; 24(3): 263-272
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41087
Copyright © 2003 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Pulmonary Hypertension and Cor Pulmonale in COPD

Teofilo L. Lee-Chiong Jr.1 , Richard A. Matthay2
  • 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
  • 2Pulmonary and Critical Care Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Publication History

Publication Date:
01 August 2003 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is the primary cardiovascular complication encountered in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cor pulmonale can range clinically from mild changes in right ventricular function to frank right heart failure. The prevalence of PAH increases as COPD worsens, and the development of PAH and cor pulmonale appears to affect survival of patients with COPD. Potential causes proposed to explain the development of PAH in COPD include gas exchange abnormalities, destruction of the pulmonary vascular bed, alterations in respiratory mechanics, changes in intrinsic pulmonary vessel tone, and increased blood viscosity. Standard clinical evaluation, including history, physical examination, spirometry, electrocardiography, and chest radiography, is generally inadequate in identifying right ventricular dysfunction. Noninvasive techniques, such as echocardiography, radionuclide ventriculography, and magnetic resonance imaging, have largely replaced invasive pulmonary artery catheterization in the initial assessment of cor pulmonale. The goals of therapy consist of attenuation of PAH, enhancement of right ventricular function, alleviation of clinical symptoms, and improvement in survival. The agents that have been most extensively evaluated for these purposes include oxygen, vasodilators, theophylline, and inotropic medications.

KEYWORDS

Cor pulmonale - pulmonary artery hypertension - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - right ventricle - left ventricle

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