Cor Pulmonale

Cor pulmonale is a specific cardiovascular disorder secondary to chronic pulmonary disease in which there is hypoxemia, chronic carbon dioxide retention, polycythemia and right ventricular hypertrophy and failure. Aids to diagnosis are x-rays of the thorax, electrocardiograms, pulmonary function tests, and Astrup determinations. Data are presented on 52 patients with cor pulmonale.