What is the most common arrhythmia seen in patients with mitral stenosis?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia associated with mitral stenosis due to the increased pressure and volume overload on the left atrium. As the mitral valve becomes narrowed, it obstructs blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle. This leads to an enlargement of the left atrium, creating an environment conducive to the development of atrial fibrillation.

The presence of atrial fibrillation in this context can complicate the disease process, as it can result in a rapid ventricular response and subsequently lead to symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or even heart failure. Furthermore, because atrial fibrillation is associated with ineffective atrial contraction, which can further exacerbate the hemodynamic issues cause by mitral stenosis, it is essential for clinicians to monitor and manage this arrhythmia in affected patients.

Other arrhythmias, while they could theoretically occur, are less common in mitral stenosis; ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia are not typically linked to this condition, and bradycardia, while it may occur in certain contexts, does not have the same association with mitral stenosis as atrial fibrillation