What finding is indicative of left ventricular hypertrophy often observed in patients with CHF?

The correct answer is indicative of a common physiological adaptation that occurs in response to increased pressure and workload on the heart, particularly in the setting of congestive heart failure (CHF). Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) generally occurs due to the heart working harder to pump blood against higher resistance, often seen in cases of hypertensive heart disease or chronic volume overload.

When the left ventricle undergoes hypertrophy, the heart becomes enlarged and can lead to various structural changes, including dilation of the pulmonary arteries. This dilation is a response to elevated pressures in the pulmonary circulation resulting from left ventricle dysfunction, which often accompanies CHF. Hence, the dilation of the pulmonary arteries reflects the hemodynamic changes and pressures that are present when LVH has developed.

The other choices do not reflect the association as clearly. Increased central venous pressure may occur due to various cardiovascular issues but is not specific to LVH in CHF. A decreased left atrial size is not characteristic, as left atrial enlargement is more commonly observed due to increased pressure from the left ventricle when it becomes hypertrophied. Lastly, a normal heart size contradicts the principle of hypertrophy, which by definition would result in an increased heart size rather than a normal