Heart Failure USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 63-year-old man with long-standing poorly controlled hypertension (BP 168/102 mmHg, HR 88 bpm) presents for routine follow-up. He denies dyspnea or orthopnea. Cardiac examination reveals an S4 gallop. Echocardiography demonstrates concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with preserved ejection fraction (EF 55%) and a small chamber cavity. Serum creatinine is 1.1 mg/dL. He takes only occasional antihypertensive medications. Which of the following best explains these cardiac findings?
Answer choices
- AConcentric left ventricular hypertrophyCorrect answer
- BDilated cardiomyopathy
- CRestrictive cardiomyopathy
- DCardiac tamponade
- EEndocardial cushion defect
- FHypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
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