What complication is associated with pulmonary hypertension?

Cor pulmonale is a significant complication associated with pulmonary hypertension, arising primarily from the increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries. When the blood vessels in the lungs become narrowed or obstructed, the right side of the heart must work harder to pump blood through these vessels. Over time, this increased workload leads to right ventricular hypertrophy and eventually heart failure, which is defined as cor pulmonale.

Cor pulmonale typically develops as a result of chronic lung conditions that lead to prolonged pulmonary hypertension, causing the right ventricle to fail to maintain adequate circulation. Patients with pulmonary hypertension often experience various symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema, which can further exacerbate the heart's burden.

In contrast, the other options, while associated with pulmonary conditions, do not directly represent complications stemming from pulmonary hypertension. Pneumothorax refers to air in the pleural space causing lung collapse, respiratory failure indicates a critical impairment in gas exchange or ventilation, and interstitial lung disease represents a range of disorders characterized by scarring of lung tissue, which may lead to pulmonary hypertension but is not a direct complication of it. Thus, cor pulmonale stands out as the direct cardiovascular consequence of untreated or prolonged pulmonary hypertension.