Cor pulmonale

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Acute vs. chronic conditions

Cor pulmonale

Respiratory system

Sarcoid, stage IV - chest X-ray

Right-sided heart failure - cor pulmonale

• Shortness of breath
• Symptoms of underlying disorders (wheezing, coughing)
• Swelling of the feet or ankles
• Exercise intolerance
• Chest discomfort

• Bluish color to the skin (cyanosis)
• Distension of the neck veins indicating high right-heart pressures
• Abnormal fluid collection in the abdomen, enlargement of the liver
• Swelling of the ankles
• Abnormal heart sounds

The following tests may help diagnose cor pulmonale:

• Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
• Chest x-ray
• CAT scan of the chest
• Pulmonary function tests
• Swan-Ganz catheterization
• V/Q scan
• Measurement of blood oxygen by arterial blood gas (ABG)
• Lung biopsy (rarely performed)
• Blood antibody tests
• Blood test for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)

Review Date: 11/13/2006
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.