Systemic pathology: endomyocardial fibrosis: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Pathology · Systemic pathology: endomyocardial fibrosis

Sample item

A 20-year-old from coastal Kerala has dyspnoea, ascites and a raised jugular venous pressure. Echocardiography shows fibrous obliteration of the ventricular apices with atrioventricular valve regurgitation, normal systolic function and dilated atria. What is the type of cardiomyopathy?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Endomyocardial fibrosis is a restrictive cardiomyopathy seen in tropical regions, including Kerala, with fibrosis of the endocardium of the apices and inflow tracts, impaired filling and preserved systolic function. Atria are dilated and AV valves become regurgitant.

Option by option

  • A. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

    Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy shows fatty and fibrous replacement of right ventricular myocardium.

  • B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy shows asymmetric septal hypertrophy with myofibre disarray.

  • C. Dilated cardiomyopathy

    Dilated cardiomyopathy shows a dilated ventricle with reduced systolic function.

  • D. Restrictive cardiomyopathy (correct)

    Correct. Endocardial fibrosis restricts diastolic filling while systolic function is preserved.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, Restrictive cardiomyopathy. Endomyocardial fibrosis is a restrictive cardiomyopathy seen in tropical regions, including Kerala, with fibrosis of the endocardium of the apices and inflow tracts, impaired filling and preserved systolic function.

Why is "Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy" not the answer?

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy shows fatty and fibrous replacement of right ventricular myocardium.

Why is "Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy" not the answer?

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy shows asymmetric septal hypertrophy with myofibre disarray.

Why is "Dilated cardiomyopathy" not the answer?

Dilated cardiomyopathy shows a dilated ventricle with reduced systolic function.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Systemic pathology: endomyocardial fibrosis in Pathology. Atria are dilated and AV valves become regurgitant.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Systemic pathology: endomyocardial fibrosis?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.