Right-sided congestive heart failure is most commonly linked to which chronic lung disease?

Right-sided congestive heart failure is most commonly linked to which chronic lung disease?

• A. Severe asthma
• B. Systemic hypertension
• C. Aortic stenosis
• D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Answer: (D)

Cor pulmonale is right-sided heart failure caused by chronic lung disease. In COPD, long-standing hypoxemia and hypercapnia trigger persistent pulmonary vasoconstriction and remodeling of the pulmonary arteries, which raises pulmonary vascular resistance. The right ventricle then has to pump against a higher afterload, leading to hypertrophy, dilation, and eventually failure. This pathophysiology makes COPD the classic chronic lung disease associated with right-sided heart failure. Other options involve left heart or systemic vascular problems and do not originate from the lungs in the same way, so they are less likely to be linked to right-sided failure driven by lung disease.

Cor pulmonale is right-sided heart failure caused by chronic lung disease. In COPD, long-standing hypoxemia and hypercapnia trigger persistent pulmonary vasoconstriction and remodeling of the pulmonary arteries, which raises pulmonary vascular resistance. The right ventricle then has to pump against a higher afterload, leading to hypertrophy, dilation, and eventually failure. This pathophysiology makes COPD the classic chronic lung disease associated with right-sided heart failure. Other options involve left heart or systemic vascular problems and do not originate from the lungs in the same way, so they are less likely to be linked to right-sided failure driven by lung disease.