Mitral regurgitation can lead to dilation of which cardiac chamber?

Mitral regurgitation can lead to dilation of which cardiac chamber?

• A. Right ventricle dilation
• B. Left atrial dilation
• C. Left ventricle dilation
• D. Right atrial dilation

Answer: (B)

Mitral regurgitation causes blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. This creates a volume overload for the left atrium, so it dilates to accommodate the extra blood each heartbeat. Over time, this enlargement of the left atrium can lead to atrial fibrillation and increased pressures that affect the lungs. The left ventricle also experiences volume overload and may enlarge, but the chamber that primarily dilates due to this regurgitation is the left atrium. Right-sided chambers dilate mainly if pulmonary hypertension develops as a consequence of the left-sided problem.

Mitral regurgitation causes blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. This creates a volume overload for the left atrium, so it dilates to accommodate the extra blood each heartbeat. Over time, this enlargement of the left atrium can lead to atrial fibrillation and increased pressures that affect the lungs. The left ventricle also experiences volume overload and may enlarge, but the chamber that primarily dilates due to this regurgitation is the left atrium. Right-sided chambers dilate mainly if pulmonary hypertension develops as a consequence of the left-sided problem.