End-Organ Damage Mechanisms · USMLE Step 1

In left ventricular hypertrophy due to chronic hypertension, which structural change impairs diastolic filling and contributes to heart failure?

  1. Progressive loss of functional myocardium
  2. Replacement of myocardium with fatty tissue
  3. Interstitial fibrosis reducing myocardial compliance
  4. Marked dilation of the ventricular chamber
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Correct answer: Interstitial fibrosis reducing myocardial compliance

Hypertension causes myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis; the fibrotic deposition reduces myocardial compliance and impairs diastolic filling, contributing to heart failure.

Difficulty: Medium Question 11 of 20

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