USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Step 1 Practice Exam

Which of the following imaging modalities is helpful in diagnosing Eccentric LVH?

1. Cardiac catheterization

2. Echocardiography

3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

4. X-ray angiography

The correct answer is: Echocardiography

Echocardiography is particularly valuable in diagnosing eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) because it provides detailed information about the structure and function of the heart, including wall thickness and chamber sizes. This imaging modality uses ultrasound waves to create real-time images of the heart, allowing clinicians to assess the left ventricle's dimensions and identify asymmetric or eccentric growth patterns associated with conditions like volume overload from valvular heart disease or other cardiomyopathies. Echocardiography not only allows for the measurement of wall thickness but also evaluation of diastolic function, which can be particularly important in cases of eccentric LVH. These capabilities make it a first-line tool in the assessment of hypertrophy and other related cardiac conditions in clinical practice. Other modalities such as cardiac catheterization and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also have roles in cardiovascular assessment, but for diagnosing LVH specifically, echocardiography is the most accessible and informative method. X-ray angiography focuses on the coronary arteries and vascular anatomy rather than directly evaluating the thickness or morphology of the heart muscle itself.