What is the term for the hypertrophy and potential failure of the right heart due to obstruction of pulmonary circulation?

The term for the hypertrophy and potential failure of the right heart due to obstruction of pulmonary circulation is cor pulmonale. This condition specifically refers to changes in the structure and function of the right ventricle in response to chronic pressure overload from the lungs, often caused by pulmonary hypertension or other chronic lung diseases that lead to increased resistance in the pulmonary vessels.

Cor pulmonale indicates that the right heart is responding to an increased workload due to the elevated pressure required to pump blood through the obstructed or narrowed pulmonary arteries. Over time, this leads to hypertrophy (thickening of the heart muscle) and can eventually result in right heart failure if the underlying pulmonary issue is not addressed.

Other terms in the list, such as cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, refer to broader categories of heart disease affecting the heart muscle or heart function but do not specifically relate to pulmonary circulation issues. Pulmonary hypertension, while a contributing factor, is not a direct descriptor of the resultant right heart failure, making cor pulmonale the accurate choice for this particular condition.