What are typical secondary hemodynamic and ECG findings in cor pulmonale?

• A. Increased CVP, decreased CO; ECG showing right ventricular hypertrophy
• B. Decreased CVP, increased CO
• C. Normal CVP
• D. Left ventricular hypertrophy

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that cor pulmonale creates a high afterload on the right ventricle from chronic pulmonary hypertension, so the right heart works harder, hypertrophies, and eventually fails. That failure raises venous pressures, so central venous pressure increases. With the right ventricle failing to pump effectively, forward flow to the left heart falls, leading to decreased cardiac output. On the ECG, the chronic right-sided pressure overload produces signs of right ventricular hypertrophy.

So the best match is elevated central venous pressure with decreased cardiac output, and an ECG showing right ventricular hypertrophy. The other patterns don’t fit: lower venous pressures or increased forward flow aren’t typical in cor pulmonale; a normal CVP suggests no congestion; and left ventricular hypertrophy points to a different cause (systemic pressure overload) rather than pulmonary-origin disease.