Which type of heart disease is characterized by ventricular enlargement?

Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized specifically by ventricular enlargement and is defined by the dilation of the heart’s ventricles, which leads to a decrease in the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. In this condition, the heart muscle becomes stretched and weakened, resulting in significant alterations in the structure and function of the heart. As a result, patients often experience symptoms of heart failure due to the impaired contractility and reduced ejection fraction.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy involves thickening of the heart muscle, primarily affecting the ventricular walls, which does not lead to ventricular enlargement but rather a reduced chamber size due to the thickened walls. Restrictive cardiomyopathy is characterized by the stiffening of the ventricular walls, preventing them from filling adequately, which is also not associated with ventricular enlargement. Coronary artery disease involves narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, leading to ischemia, rather than a primary enlargement of the ventricles.

In summary, dilated cardiomyopathy is the correct answer as it directly describes the condition where ventricular enlargement occurs, contrasting with the characteristics of the other types of heart disease listed.