1-10 Concentric Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
This cross-section of the left ventricle demonstrates marked, uniform thickening of the septum and free wall with a small ventricular cavity. The "normal" left ventricular wall thickness measures 1.3 to 1.5 cm. Increased thickness of the wall with increased weight of the heart (normal range 250-350 grams) is indicative of hypertrophy. Since the left ventricle is often in systole at the time of death and thus will often appear thick at autopsy, increased wall thickness alone is not sufficient for a gross diagnosis of hypertrophy. Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy is usually the result of pressure overload.