pulmonary heart disease (redirected from cor pulmonale)

pulmonary heart disease

 or cor pulmonale

Enlargement and eventual failure of the right ventricle of the heart due to disorders of the lungs or their blood vessels or chest wall abnormalities. Chronic disease is most often caused by chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Symptoms include chronic cough, trouble in breathing after exertion, wheezing, weakness, leg edema, right upper abdominal pain, and neck vein distension. Pressure in the pulmonary artery rises and the right ventricle enlarges in response, leading, if uncorrected, to heart failure. Treatment includes a respirator, low-sodium diet, diuretics, digitalis, and antibiotics for respiratory infection. Acute disease due to pulmonary embolism is often treated by removal of the blockage.