Which symptom is NOT associated with left-ventricular failure?

Which symptom is NOT associated with left-ventricular failure?

• A. Pulmonary edema
• B. Dyspnea
• C. Hepatomegaly
• D. Cough

Answer: (C)

Left-ventricular failure mainly causes backward pressure into the lungs. The rising left atrial and pulmonary venous pressures leads to fluid leaking into the alveoli, producing pulmonary edema, which presents as shortness of breath and a cough, often with crackles on auscultation. These pulmonary symptoms are classic for LV failure because the problem starts with the left ventricle backing up into the lungs. Hepatomegaly, on the other hand, comes from congestion of the liver due to elevated venous pressure backing up from the right side of the heart. That pattern is typical of right-ventricular failure (or biventricular failure) rather than isolated left-ventricular failure. So hepatomegaly is not a characteristic feature of LV failure by itself.

Left-ventricular failure mainly causes backward pressure into the lungs. The rising left atrial and pulmonary venous pressures leads to fluid leaking into the alveoli, producing pulmonary edema, which presents as shortness of breath and a cough, often with crackles on auscultation. These pulmonary symptoms are classic for LV failure because the problem starts with the left ventricle backing up into the lungs.

Hepatomegaly, on the other hand, comes from congestion of the liver due to elevated venous pressure backing up from the right side of the heart. That pattern is typical of right-ventricular failure (or biventricular failure) rather than isolated left-ventricular failure. So hepatomegaly is not a characteristic feature of LV failure by itself.