Cardiomegaly pathophysiology


 * Associate Editor in Chief:

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