Abstract
Cor pulmonale is a clinical term defined as an alteration in the structure and /or function of the right ventricle caused by a precapillary pulmonary hypertension. Worldwide, the most common cause of chronic cor pulmonale is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Diseases complicated by cor pulmonale have a worse survival rate than the same disease without malfunction of the right ventricule. Symptoms of cor pulmonale include dyspnea, lethargy, exertional syncope, and exertional chest pain.
Echocardiography is the most used diagnostic method. Major goals of this treatment include reduction of the right ventricular afterload, a decrease of the right ventricular pressure, an improvement of the right ventricular contractility, and especially treating the cause of pulmonary hypertension.