A 64-Year-Old Man Dies Suddenly While Playing Tennis

A 64-year-old man dies suddenly while playing tennis.  In the preceding months, the patient experienced fatigue and some exertional dyspnea.  Autopsy reveals rupture of an unsuspected ascending aortic aneurysm.  Heart examination shows a septal thickness of 1.1 cm (normal: ?1.1) , a posterior wall thickness of 1.1 cm (normal: ?1.1) , and an internal left ventricular diameter of 6.8 cm (normal: 3.5-5.9) .  No focal myocardial scarring is seen.  Which of the following is the most likely cause of the cardiac findings seen in this individual?

A) Aortic regurgitation
B) Aortic stenosis
C) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
D) Obstructive coronary artery disease
E) Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Correct Answer:

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