Echocardiography III Exam 1 Practice

Which chamber enlarges in Mitral Valve Prolapse with severe mitral regurgitation?

Right atrium Right ventricle Left atrium Left ventricle

Correct Answer:

Left atrium

Explanation:

When mitral regurgitation occurs, especially with a prolapsed mitral valve, blood flows backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. This creates a volume overload of the left atrium, which dilates to accommodate the excess volume and maintain forward stroke by reducing atrial pressure. Over time, the left atrium enlarges as MR remains severe. The left ventricle also handles more volume and can enlarge, but the chamber most consistently enlarged in this scenario is the left atrium. Right-sided chambers aren’t primarily affected by isolated mitral regurgitation unless additional factors like pulmonary hypertension come into play.

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