As blood regurgitates into the left ventricle between each systole, volume overload ensues and the ventricular wall hypertrophies in an attempt to maintain cardiac output and blood pressure. The massive ventricle can lead to a heart weighing over 1000 grams (the weight of a normal heart is about 350 grams), referred to as cor bovinum (Latin for cow's heart).
As blood returns to the left ventricle between each heartbeat, volume overload occurs and the ventricular wall thickens in an effort to preserve cardiac output and blood pressure. The enlarged ventricle can result in a heart weighing over 1000 grams (a normal heart weighs approximately 350 grams), referred to as cor bovinum (Latin for cow's heart).