6th March 2024

A 65-year-old woman with COPD and a 40 pack year smoking history, attends the emergency department with progressive swelling of her feet and ankles.

A 65-year-old woman with COPD and a 40 pack year smoking history, attends the emergency department with progressive swelling of her feet and ankles. You suspect this may be cor pulmonale and begin to explain the pathophysiology to the final year medical student who is on placement there. You include some anatomy teaching on the heart. Which of the following statements is true?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.