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File:IPLab12COPD5.jpg|This gross photograph of the heart taken at autopsy demonstrates right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation (arrows).
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== Study Questions ==
* <spoiler text="What is COPD and why do cigarette smokers develop it?">Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of conditions that lead to dyspnea. COPD entails emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and asthma. The conditions can occur to varying degrees and there are often complex combinations and severities of each entity. Cigarette smoke and other air pollutants can irritate the lung and lead to increased leukocytes, increased release of elastases, and increased oxidants which inhibit alpha-1 antitrypsin. These and a variety of other factors lead to destruction of the elastic tissue in the lung and result in abnormal lung function and lung damage.</spoiler>
* <spoiler text="What caused the right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation? What is this called?">The lung damage resulted in pulmonary hypertension which resulted in right ventricular hypertrophy. Over a period of time the increased workload will cause the right ventricle to fail and dilate. This process of right ventricular hypertrophy due to pulmonary hypertension is called cor pulmonale.</spoiler>
{{IPLab 12}}
[[Category: IPLab:Lab 12]]
