In this article, we will discuss the Clinical Features of Cor Pulmonale. So, let’s get started.
Clinical Features
Productive cough
Dyspnea
Chest discomfort
Headache
Abdominal pain
Lower extremity swelling
Ascites
Physical Signs include:
Orthopnea
The patient sits with elbows supported on a table and legs dangling by the side of the chest
Pursed lip breathing and cyanosis (presents in patients with COPD with acute exacerbation)
Periorbital edema
Jugular venous distention (raised JVP) and ‘VY’ (wave) collapse due to tricuspid regurgitation
Peripheral edema
Systemic Signs
Respiratory system may show signs of COPD (barrel-shaped chest, restricted chest movements and expansion, hyper-resonant note and vesicular breathing with prolonged expiration, muffled breath sounds)
Signs of RV hypertrophy or failure e.g. parasternal heave, loud P2, midsystolic and early diastolic (Graham-steel) murmur and pansystolic or holosystolic murmur of tricuspid regurgitation (Carvallo’s sign) may be present.
Abdominal distention may be present along with tender hepatomegaly. Hepatojugular reflex may be present.