In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which chamber shows the primary changes?

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Multiple Choice

In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which chamber shows the primary changes?

The main idea is that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy primarily thickens the left ventricular myocardium, especially the basal interventricular septum. This genetic process causes myocyte hypertrophy and disarray, leading to a thickened left ventricle with a relatively small, stiff chamber. Because the left ventricle becomes stiff and hypertrophied, filling during diastole is impaired, raising left-sided filling pressures and often enlarging the left atrium over time. The thick septum can also bulge into the outflow tract, producing dynamic LV outflow tract obstruction, particularly with exertion. The right ventricle is not the primary site of hypertrophy in this condition, and dilation of both ventricles is not typical. So the chamber showing the primary changes is the left ventricle.

The main idea is that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy primarily thickens the left ventricular myocardium, especially the basal interventricular septum. This genetic process causes myocyte hypertrophy and disarray, leading to a thickened left ventricle with a relatively small, stiff chamber.

Because the left ventricle becomes stiff and hypertrophied, filling during diastole is impaired, raising left-sided filling pressures and often enlarging the left atrium over time. The thick septum can also bulge into the outflow tract, producing dynamic LV outflow tract obstruction, particularly with exertion. The right ventricle is not the primary site of hypertrophy in this condition, and dilation of both ventricles is not typical. So the chamber showing the primary changes is the left ventricle.

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