A patient with severe mitral valve stenosis experiences increased left atrial pressure. Which outcome is most likely in the pulmonary circulation due to this cardiac condition?

💡 Explanation

Mitral stenosis impedes blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, causing blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation. This leads to increased pulmonary hydrostatic pressure because the increased atrial pressure elevates capillary pressure in the lungs, therefore promoting fluid transudation; rather than affecting alveolar surface tension, capillary permeability or lymphatic drainage directly.

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