A patient with left-sided heart failure develops breathlessness and crackles at the lung bases. Which mechanism best explains these findings?
Correct answer: B. Increased pulmonary venous pressure
- A. Reduced pressure in pulmonary capillaries
- B. Increased pulmonary venous pressure
- C. Obstruction of the superior vena cava
- D. Reduced blood flow through the pulmonary artery
Explanation
Poor left ventricular pumping causes blood to back up into the pulmonary veins and capillaries. The increased hydrostatic pressure promotes fluid movement into lung tissue and alveoli, causing crackles and dyspnoea.
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About Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system covers the chambers, valves and major vessels of the heart, the cardiac cycle, conduction pathway, blood pressure and the circulation through pulmonary and systemic circuits. It also explains artery, vein and capillary structure, exchange at capillary beds, and how the cardiac cycle differs from general blood flow.
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