Eccentric hypertrophy is described as which statement?

• A. Chamber sizes stay the same, but left ventricular walls thicken in response to high resistance.
• B. Overall heart mass increases with enlargement of the chamber and normal wall thickness.
• C. Heart mass decreases with reduced training.
• D. Left ventricle becomes thinner.

Answer: (B)

Eccentric hypertrophy occurs when the heart adapts to volume overload, causing the chamber to dilate while the wall may remain normal in thickness. The heart adds sarcomeres in series, which enlarges the chamber and increases overall heart mass, but wall thickness does not need to thicken proportionally. This is why the description of an increased heart mass accompanying chamber enlargement with normal wall thickness best fits eccentric remodeling. In contrast, the alternative describing thickened walls with a stiffer chamber points to concentric hypertrophy from pressure overload, while statements about decreased mass or thinning don’t reflect the hypertrophic response to volume overload.