In mitral regurgitation, what compensatory change occurs in the left ventricle?

In mitral regurgitation, the left ventricle undergoes compensatory changes primarily due to the volume overload caused by the backward flow of blood from the left atrium during systole. As a result of this increased volume load, the left ventricle grows larger through a process called eccentric hypertrophy.

This enlargement is an adaptive mechanism allowing the left ventricle to accommodate the extra blood without a significant rise in pressure. By increasing its size, the ventricle can maintain forward flow during systole and helps to manage the extra volume returning from the left atrium. In the long term, this adaptation can lead to functional decline and heart failure if the underlying cause of the mitral regurgitation is not addressed.

The other options do not reflect the physiological response to mitral regurgitation. A smaller ventricle would not be able to handle the increased volume, and while the ventricle may initially attempt to pump harder (a phenomenon known as increased contractility), the primary compensatory change is enlargement rather than strengthening. Stiffening the ventricle does not prevent backflow, as that is related to the malfunctional mitral valve itself, not the ventricular response.