Pulmonary function in mitral stenosis.

The reported results of pulmonary function testing in patients with mitral stenosis are summarized, including a few studies done after operative correction of the mitral stenosis. The physiologic effects of increased pulmonary water explain most of the reversible abnormalities in pulmonary function. Fixed pathologic changes that occur with longstanding interstitial edema may account for the irreversible nature of other alterations in pulmonary function.