[The prospect of prevention and treatment of Cor pulmonale on a 20-year follow-up of 40 middle to old aged cases of COPD and Cor pulmonale].

OBJECTIVE

To study the outcome of current therapy for COPD and Cor pulmonale by long-term follow-up of COPD patients.

METHOD

Forty cases of middle to old aged COPD and Cor pulmonale patients were followed up for a period of 20 years.

RESULTS

The pulmonary function of all the patients reduced significantly more than healthy elderly, while no difference was noted in blood gas analysis. 23 patients with advanced COPD developed cor pulmonale, so that the number of cases with cor pulmonale increased significantly from 7 to 30. By the end of follow-up 19 cases survived (48%), 21 cases (Cor pulmonale 19, COPD 2) died (53%).

CONCLUSIONS

In view of the high mortality of cor pulmonale and the tremendous treatment cost, it was considered that the prospect for cor pulmonale management should be put on treating COPD to avoid development of Cor pulmonale. The keys of treating COPD are stop of smoking, protection from cold, early treatment of respiratory infection and further establishment of pulmonary rehabilitation work.