Cor Pulmonale

Key points

• Cor pulmonale
• features include peripheral oedema, raised jugular venous pressure, systolic parasternal heave, loud P2
• use a loop diuretic for oedema, consider long-term oxygen therapy
• ACE-inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and alpha blockers are not recommended by NICE Factors which may improve survival in patients with stable COPD
• smoking cessation - the single most important intervention in patients who are still smoking