Question:

Which of the following valvular heart diseases is associated with left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ECG showing ST depression?

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Valvular Chamber Dynamics:
- AS: Pressure overload $\rightarrow$ Concentric LVH $\rightarrow$ LAE (due to stiffness). ECG = LVH with strain.
- AR: Volume overload $\rightarrow$ Massive LV dilatation (cor bovinum).
- MS: LAE + RVH (LV is small and protected).
- MR: LAE + LV dilatation.
Updated On: Sep 3, 2026
  • AS
  • AR
  • MS
  • MR
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
Different valvular lesions impose different mechanical loads (pressure vs. volume) on the heart chambers, leading to specific morphological adaptations (hypertrophy vs. dilatation) and characteristic electrocardiographic changes.
Explanation:
Aortic Stenosis (AS) imposes a severe pressure overload on the left ventricle due to a fixed outflow tract obstruction. To generate the high pressures needed to force blood through the stenotic valve, the left ventricle undergoes concentric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH).

• As the LV wall thickens, it becomes stiff, and its compliance decreases significantly. This leads to elevated Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Pressure (LVEDP). To adequately fill this stiff ventricle, the left atrium must contract more forcefully against a higher pressure gradient, which leads to Left Atrial Enlargement (LAE).

• On an ECG, severe LVH is classically accompanied by a "strain pattern." This represents subendocardial ischemia secondary to increased muscle mass and wall stress, manifesting as asymmetrical ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion in the lateral leads (I, aVL, V5, V6).

• In contrast, Aortic Regurgitation (Option B) and Mitral Regurgitation (Option D) primarily cause volume overload, leading to eccentric hypertrophy (ventricular dilatation) rather than the massive, stiff concentric LVH of AS.

• Mitral Stenosis (Option C) protects the left ventricle from volume; it causes LA enlargement and Right Ventricular Hypertrophy, but the LV is typically small or normal.
Final Answer:
Aortic Stenosis classically produces profound concentric LVH with a secondary strain pattern on ECG (ST depression) and retrograde left atrial enlargement due to decreased LV compliance.
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