Cardiomegaly pathophysiology

Cardiomegaly Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Cardiomegaly from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
MRI
CT
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Cardiomegaly pathophysiology On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Cardiomegaly pathophysiology
CDC on Cardiomegaly pathophysiology
Cardiomegaly pathophysiology in the news
Blogs on Cardiomegaly pathophysiology
Directions to Hospitals Treating Cardiomegaly pathophysiology
Risk calculators and risk factors for Cardiomegaly pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Overview

Cardiomegaly involves two main processes in the heart muscle. Hypertrophy causes the heart to enlarge due to thickening to the cardiac muscle, and dilation causes enlargement due to stretching of the heart muscle. Dilation occurs as a result of volume overload in the heart.

Pathophysiology

The left ventricle can be enlarged from two broad underlying conditions: dilation and hypertrophy.

• Left ventricular dilation can occurs as a result of volume overload. Conditions that cause volume overload can be further broken down as follows:
  • Valvular Disease: More common underlying valvular heart disease conditions would include mitral regurgitation and aortic regurgitation.
  • Congenital Heart Disease: Patent ductus arteriosus and a ventricular septal defect.
  • High output states resulting in volume overload: Anemia and thyrotoxicosis.
  • High stroke volume states: Complete heart block and prolonged severe sinus bradycardia.
  • Can occur as a result of ischemia and remodeling.

Pathology

Gross Pathology

Image courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology

Biventricular Hypertrophy

Biventricular Hypertrophy

Gross excellent example of concentric left ventricular hypertrophy

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Gross natural color anterior view intact heart showing disproportionate size of left ventricle by its inferior extent much below the right ventricle apex (quite good example)

Myocardial Infarct: Gross natural color apical section showing large left ventricle infarct and right ventricular hypertrophy

Right ventricular hypertrophy

Right ventricular enlargement due to a patent ductus arteriosus in a patient with hyaline membrane disease