Cor pulmonale associated with copd

Abstract

A regular antecedent of cor pulmonale in patients with COPD is pulmonary hypertension, which, in turn, is a consequence of an interplay of mechanisms (predominantly alveolar hypoxia). It is important to identify those patients who are predisposed to pulmonary hypertension because of COPD, since they are candidates for right ventricular failure if gas exchange is further deranged by alveolar hypoventilation or a superimposed respiratory infection.