Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

In a patient with pulmonary hypertension, what is a common finding on echocardiography?

1. Dilated left ventricle

2. Dilated pulmonic valve

3. Left ventricular hypertrophy

4. Right ventricular hypertrophy

The correct answer is: Right ventricular hypertrophy

In a patient with pulmonary hypertension, the most common echocardiographic finding is right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH). This occurs as a result of the increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which causes the right ventricle to work harder to pump blood into the lungs. Over time, this heightened workload leads to structural changes in the heart muscle, particularly the right ventricle, resulting in hypertrophy. On echocardiography, right ventricular hypertrophy can be assessed through various techniques, such as measuring the wall thickness of the right ventricle and evaluating the right ventricular size and function. In patients with significant pulmonary hypertension, you may also notice other echocardiographic signs, such as right ventricular dilation or altered right ventricular function, but the hypertrophy is a key feature indicative of the increased load stemming from elevated pressures in the pulmonary circulation. In contrast, dilated left ventricle, dilated pulmonic valve, and left ventricular hypertrophy are not typically associated with pulmonary hypertension in the same direct way as right ventricular hypertrophy, as the left ventricle is often unaffected or mildly impacted unless there are other coexisting cardiac conditions.