In mitral stenosis the obstruction to the circulation leads to a build-up of pressure in the left atrium which averages about 25 mm. Hg in uncomplicated cases with critical stenosis requiring valvotomy (orifice 10 x 5 mm. or less). On effort the cardiac output increases and the left atrial pressure rises well above the osmotic pressure of the plasma, even up to 50 or 60 mm. Familiar consequences of this situation include haemoptysis, frank pulmonary cedema, and chronic interstitial cedema of the lungs.
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Wood et al. (1957) studied this question.