Poor ejection from the left ventricle during systole results in:

• A. swollen ankles
• B. jugular vein distention
• C. pulmonary edema
• D. hypertension

Answer: (C)

When the left ventricle doesn’t eject effectively during systole, forward flow to the aorta drops. This backs up pressure into the left atrium and then into the pulmonary veins, increasing pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure. Fluid then leaks into the lung interstitium and alveoli, producing pulmonary edema. That’s why pulmonary edema is the immediate consequence of poor LV systolic ejection.

Swollen ankles and jugular venous distention relate more to venous congestion from right-sided or total heart failure, and hypertension isn’t the direct, primary result of reduced LV ejection in systole.