What are the causes of left ventricular failure? Select all that apply.

Increased pressure within the venous system
Increased stiffness of ventricle muscle
Reduced relaxation of ventricle muscle
Reduced forward pumping strength of the ventricle muscle
Decreased pulmonary arterial blood flow

1 answer

Left ventricular failure can be caused by a variety of factors. From the options you've provided, the following are relevant causes of left ventricular failure:

  1. Increased stiffness of ventricle muscle: This can lead to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), as the heart becomes less able to relax and fill properly.

  2. Reduced relaxation of ventricle muscle: Impaired relaxation contributes to diastolic dysfunction, which is common in heart failure.

  3. Reduced forward pumping strength of the ventricle muscle: This is a key characteristic of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), where the heart cannot effectively pump blood forward.

The other options do not typically contribute directly to left ventricular failure:

  • Increased pressure within the venous system: This can be a consequence of left ventricular failure rather than a cause.

  • Decreased pulmonary arterial blood flow: This is also not a direct cause of left ventricular failure.

So, the correct answers are:

  • Increased stiffness of ventricle muscle
  • Reduced relaxation of ventricle muscle
  • Reduced forward pumping strength of the ventricle muscle