Question

which of the following is the result of an acute backward failure of the right ventricle?
pulmonary congestion
acute, painful hepatomegaly
passive venous liver congestion
nutmeg liver

Explanation:

• Pulmonary congestion: This is more associated with left - sided heart failure. When the left ventricle fails, blood backs up into the pulmonary circulation.
• Acute, painful hepatomegaly: Right - sided heart failure (including acute backward failure of the right ventricle) can cause congestion in the systemic venous circulation. The liver is part of the systemic circulation. When there is acute right - sided failure, the liver can rapidly enlarge (hepatomegaly) due to venous congestion, and this can be painful.
• Passive venous liver congestion: While passive venous liver congestion is related to right - sided heart failure, it is a more chronic manifestation. In acute right - sided failure, the more acute symptom is acute, painful hepatomegaly.
• Nutmeg liver: Nutmeg liver is a chronic change in the liver due to long - standing passive congestion (usually from chronic right - sided heart failure). It is not an acute manifestation.

Answer:

Acute, painful hepatomegaly