At autopsy, the heart of an 80-year-old man has a small left ventricular cavity and thickening of the left ventricle walls, which measure 1.7 cm (normal: 0.7-1.1) at the posterior and septal wall locations. Microscopic examination shows diffusely enlarged cardiomyocytes, with prominent nuclei evident at low power. Increased expression of which of the following substances most likely contributed to these pathologic findings?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common complication of chronic hypertension, characterized by uniformly thickened ventricular walls and enlarged cardiomyocytes and nuclei.  The vasoconstrictors angiotensin II and endothelin likely have a prominent role in the development of concentric LVH independent of their effects on blood pressure.  Angiotensin II receptor blockers are more effective than other antihypertensive agents in reducing LVH.

At Autopsy, the Heart of an 80-Year-Old Man Has a Small