Cor pulmonale
Alternative Names
Right-sided heart failure - cor pulmonale
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Symptoms of underlying disorders (wheezing, coughing)
- Swelling of the feet or ankles
- Exercise intolerance
- Chest discomfort
Exams and Tests
- 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)
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