Which statement about mitral regurgitation and its effects on the lungs is most accurate?

Which statement about mitral regurgitation and its effects on the lungs is most accurate?

• A. It can lead to pulmonary edema
• B. It prevents any lung involvement
• C. It causes isolated right-sided failure
• D. It improves pulmonary function over time

Answer: (A)

Mitral regurgitation allows blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole, which raises left atrial pressure and, consequently, pulmonary venous pressure. This pressure backing up into the lungs leads to pulmonary congestion and edema, especially with activity or when the left atrial pressure is high. That is why pulmonary edema is the most accurate statement about the lung effects. It’s not correct to say it prevents any lung involvement, because the primary impact of this left-sided valve problem is on the lungs through increased hydrostatic pressure. It does not cause isolated right-sided failure; while long-standing left-sided failure can secondarily contribute to pulmonary hypertension and later right-sided strain, the hallmark immediate lung effect is edema, not isolated right-sided failure. It also does not improve pulmonary function over time; without treatment, the regurgitation and pulmonary congestion can worsen.

Mitral regurgitation allows blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole, which raises left atrial pressure and, consequently, pulmonary venous pressure. This pressure backing up into the lungs leads to pulmonary congestion and edema, especially with activity or when the left atrial pressure is high. That is why pulmonary edema is the most accurate statement about the lung effects.

It’s not correct to say it prevents any lung involvement, because the primary impact of this left-sided valve problem is on the lungs through increased hydrostatic pressure. It does not cause isolated right-sided failure; while long-standing left-sided failure can secondarily contribute to pulmonary hypertension and later right-sided strain, the hallmark immediate lung effect is edema, not isolated right-sided failure. It also does not improve pulmonary function over time; without treatment, the regurgitation and pulmonary congestion can worsen.