Left Ventricle
Also written as LV.
The left ventricle is typically protected from overload in pure mitral stenosis.
What our notes say
- The left ventricle is typically protected from overload in pure mitral stenosis. (Cardiology Question Bank: 15 Clinical MCQs)
- Third heart sound ($S_3$): Caused by sudden deceleration of blood entering a non-compliant, failing, and dilated left ventricle during early diastole. (Acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction)
- • Gives a rough guide to the pulse pressure which depends on the stroke volume and vascular compliance because as blood is pumped into the aorta by the left ventricle under pressure it causes distension of the ascending aorta. (Cardiovascular system examination revised 2012 — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- | Left ventricle (LV) myocardium – contractile fibers, sarcomere calcium handling, Frank‑Starling stretch response | Reduced systolic shortening → low ejection fraction → pulmonary congestion; preserved contractility with stiff ventricle → high filling pressures and orthopnoea. | (Heart failure: which tests and why)
- They primarily act on the left ventricle, offering no benefit to the right. (Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale)
- The right coronary artery (RCA) typically supplies the inferior and posterior walls of the left ventricle and the right ventricle. (Acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction)
Study material on Left Ventricle
- CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY
- Cardiovascular system examination revised 2012
- 🫀 VALVULAR HEART DISEASE — ULTRA DEEP NOTES
- CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY
- Infective endocarditis
Images
Practice questions on Left Ventricle
A 50-year-old male undergoes autopsy after sudden cardiac death. The heart weighs 560 g (normal ~300 g). The left ventricle shows concentric wall thickening with a normal-sized chamber. Which hemodynamic condition is MOST likely responsible?
- Chronic mitral regurgitation
- Chronic aortic regurgitation
- Chronic systemic hypertension (pressure overload)
- Large ventricular septal defect (volume overload)
- Tricuspid stenosis
Answer: C. Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with a normal chamber size is a classic adaptation to chronic pressure overload, most commonly caused by systemic hypertension or aortic stenosis.