In the context of respiratory care, cor pulmonale is primarily associated with which condition?

Cor pulmonale is a condition characterized by right-sided heart failure arising from chronic lung disease or conditions that cause prolonged low oxygen levels in the blood, a situation known as chronic hypoxemia. When the lungs are unable to adequately oxygenate the blood, this leads to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which in turn puts extra strain on the right ventricle of the heart. Over time, this strain can result in the right ventricle becoming enlarged and weakened, leading to cor pulmonale.

Chronic hypoxemia is often seen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other similar respiratory disorders. The sustained low levels of oxygen in the blood are what predominantly drive the development of cor pulmonale.

Other conditions listed, such as obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia, can affect the respiratory system but do not have the same direct and chronic relationship with right-sided heart failure that chronic hypoxemia does. While they may induce temporary or acute respiratory issues, they do not typically lead to cor pulmonale in the same manner as chronic hypoxemia.