In mitral stenosis, enlargement of which cardiac chamber predisposes to atrial fibrillation?

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Multiple Choice

In mitral stenosis, enlargement of which cardiac chamber predisposes to atrial fibrillation?

Explanation:
Left atrial enlargement is the key factor here. In mitral stenosis, the narrowed valve raises pressure in the left atrium as blood backs up before the mitral opening. This pressure overload stretches and dilates the left atrium, leading to electrical remodeling and heterogeneity of conduction. The enlarged atrial tissue, especially around the pulmonary veins where arrhythmogenic foci often reside, creates the substrate for reentry circuits and chaotic electrical activity that characterizes atrial fibrillation. So, the left atrium’s dilation directly increases the risk of AF in mitral stenosis.

Left atrial enlargement is the key factor here. In mitral stenosis, the narrowed valve raises pressure in the left atrium as blood backs up before the mitral opening. This pressure overload stretches and dilates the left atrium, leading to electrical remodeling and heterogeneity of conduction. The enlarged atrial tissue, especially around the pulmonary veins where arrhythmogenic foci often reside, creates the substrate for reentry circuits and chaotic electrical activity that characterizes atrial fibrillation. So, the left atrium’s dilation directly increases the risk of AF in mitral stenosis.

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