Bilharzial cor pulmonale

Bilharzial Cor Pulmonale

Bilharzial cor pulmonale (pronunciation: bil-har-zial kor pul-mo-nale) is a specific form of cor pulmonale, a medical condition characterized by the enlargement and failure of the right side of the heart as a response to increased vascular resistance or high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

Etymology

The term "bilharzial" is derived from the name of Theodor Bilharz, a German pathologist who first discovered the parasitic worm causing schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia). "Cor pulmonale" is a Latin term, with "cor" meaning heart and "pulmonale" referring to the lungs.

Causes

Bilharzial cor pulmonale is caused by the chronic form of schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by several species of flatworms or flukes. The disease is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in poor communities without access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

Symptoms

The symptoms of bilharzial cor pulmonale are similar to those of other forms of cor pulmonale and may include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and swelling in the legs and abdomen.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of bilharzial cor pulmonale involves a combination of clinical examination, medical history, and specific diagnostic tests, including imaging studies and possibly heart catheterization. The presence of schistosomiasis is confirmed through stool or urine tests, or through a blood test.

Treatment

Treatment for bilharzial cor pulmonale involves managing the underlying schistosomiasis infection, typically with antiparasitic medication, and treating the symptoms of cor pulmonale, which may involve diuretics, oxygen therapy, and in severe cases, heart or lung transplantation.

Related Terms

• Cor pulmonale
• Schistosomiasis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Heart failure
• Parasitic diseases

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Bilharzial cor pulmonale
• Wikipedia's article - Bilharzial cor pulmonale

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