What is a common consequence of chronic mitral stenosis?

What is a common consequence of chronic mitral stenosis?

• A. CHF
• B. Myocardial Infarction
• C. Aortic Stenosis
• D. Pulmonary Embolism

Answer: (A)

Chronic mitral stenosis raises left atrial pressure because the blood can’t flow easily into the left ventricle. That high pressure backs up into the pulmonary veins, leading to pulmonary congestion and elevated pulmonary pressures. Over time, the resulting burden on the lungs and the right heart progresses to congestive heart failure. While the left atrial dilation from mitral stenosis can predispose to atrial fibrillation and systemic emboli, the typical downstream consequence you’d expect is CHF.

Chronic mitral stenosis raises left atrial pressure because the blood can’t flow easily into the left ventricle. That high pressure backs up into the pulmonary veins, leading to pulmonary congestion and elevated pulmonary pressures. Over time, the resulting burden on the lungs and the right heart progresses to congestive heart failure. While the left atrial dilation from mitral stenosis can predispose to atrial fibrillation and systemic emboli, the typical downstream consequence you’d expect is CHF.