Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

In chronic aortic insufficiency, how does the left ventricle typically change shape?

1. Elliptical

2. Conical

3. Spherical

4. Octagonal

The correct answer is: Spherical

In chronic aortic insufficiency, the left ventricle undergoes significant remodeling due to the volume overload caused by the regurgitation of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole. Over time, this condition leads to left ventricular dilation and an increase in wall stress, as the heart attempts to accommodate the increased volume of blood. As the left ventricle dilates in response to the volume overload, it typically assumes a spherical shape. This spherical remodeling is characterized by an increase in both the dimensions and the volume of the left ventricle, which allows for greater capacity to handle the excess blood. The spherical shape serves to optimize the left ventricle's function despite the underlying pathology, although it may ultimately lead to decreased efficiency and heart failure if the condition progresses. In contrast to other shapes that might be considered, such as elliptical, conical, or octagonal, the spherical shape is the most representative of the pathological changes observed in chronic aortic insufficiency. The left ventricle's adaptation reflects the demands placed upon it by the regurgitant flow and is a hallmark of this condition in echocardiographic assessments.