cor pulmonale cor pul·mo·na·le (p&oobreve;l'mə-nā'lē, pŭl'-)
n.
Acute strain or hypertrophy of the right ventricle caused by a disorder of the lungs or of the pulmonary blood vessels.
cor pulmonale
enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart, resulting from disorders of the lungs or blood vessels of the lungs or from abnormalities of the chest wall. A person with cor pulmonale has a chronic cough, experiences difficulty in breathing after exertion, wheezes, and is weak and easily fatigued. Fluid may collect in the legs; pain may be felt in the right upper portion of the abdomen; digestive disturbances may be noted; the neck veins are distended; and the fingertips may be clubbed.
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