A disproportionate thickening of the interventricular septum is the hallmark of which form of cardiomyopathy?

A. Percutaneous coronary intervention: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a treatment used to open blocked coronary arteries during a myocardial infarction but is not a complication of the event itself. It is a therapeutic procedure aimed at restoring blood flow and is not a direct consequence of myocardial infarction.

B. Sudden death: Sudden death can occur as a complication of myocardial infarction due to severe dysrhythmias or cardiac arrest resulting from electrical instability in the heart. This complication is critical and can occur shortly after the onset of an MI or during recovery.

C. Dysrhythmias: Dysrhythmias are common complications following myocardial infarction, often arising from ischemic damage to the heart muscle, which disrupts the normal electrical conduction pathways. These irregular heartbeats can range from benign to life-threatening.

D. Congestive heart failure: Congestive heart failure can develop as a complication of myocardial infarction due to the loss of functional cardiac muscle, resulting in decreased cardiac output and the heart's inability to pump effectively. This complication can develop acutely or progressively over time following an MI.

A. Increase peripheral resistance: An increase in peripheral resistance contributes to hypertension by raising the pressure in the arteries. This condition often results from vasoconstriction or structural changes in the blood vessels, leading to higher overall blood pressure.

B. Decrease in cardiac output: A decrease in cardiac output typically does not cause hypertension. In fact, low cardiac output may lead to hypotension (low blood pressure) since there is less blood being pumped into the circulatory system. This option is the exception when discussing physiological causes of hypertension.

C. Both increased cardiac output and peripheral resistance: Both increased cardiac output and peripheral resistance can lead to hypertension. An increase in either factor can elevate blood pressure, and their combined effect can significantly contribute to the development of hypertension.

D. Increased cardiac output: Increased cardiac output raises blood pressure by delivering more blood to the arteries with each heartbeat. This can occur due to various factors such as increased fluid volume, increased heart rate, or heightened contractility of the heart.