Cor pulmonale in children.

According to the World Health Organization, chronic cor pulmonale is defined as 
"hypertrophy of the right ventricle resulting from diseases affecting the function 
and/or the structure of the lung, except when these pulmonary alterations 
are the result of diseases that primarily affect the left side 
of the heart or of congenital heart disease." Cor pulmonale has 
been extensively studied and reported in adults, but it has received 
relatively little attention in the pediatric age group. Although some parts 
of knowledge gained from adult studies can be used, chronic cor 
pulmonale in children and infants is quite a different entity from 
that usually seen in adults. This review is primarily an attempt 
to clarify some of the confusion surrounding this subject and to 
focus on the pediatric aspects. Pathophysiology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment are 
discussed. 