Dependent edema in heart failure is most closely associated with which ventricular failure?

Dependent edema in heart failure is most closely associated with which ventricular failure?

• A. Left ventricular failure
• B. Right ventricular failure
• C. Isolated systolic failure
• D. Biventricular failure

Answer: (B)

Dependent edema arises when fluid backs up into the systemic venous circulation and leaks into tissues, especially in gravity-dependent areas like the legs. This happens most clearly when the right ventricle can’t pump returning blood effectively, causing the central venous pressure to rise and leading to venous congestion. The increased hydrostatic pressure in peripheral capillaries drives fluid into the interstitium, and gravity makes the edema most noticeable in the ankles and feet. So, the sign of dependent edema is most closely linked to right ventricular failure. By contrast, left ventricular failure more commonly causes fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema) rather than peripheral dependent edema, and isolated systolic failure or biventricular failure don’t explain the classic gravity-dependent peripheral edema as clearly as isolated right-sided failure.

Dependent edema arises when fluid backs up into the systemic venous circulation and leaks into tissues, especially in gravity-dependent areas like the legs. This happens most clearly when the right ventricle can’t pump returning blood effectively, causing the central venous pressure to rise and leading to venous congestion. The increased hydrostatic pressure in peripheral capillaries drives fluid into the interstitium, and gravity makes the edema most noticeable in the ankles and feet. So, the sign of dependent edema is most closely linked to right ventricular failure. By contrast, left ventricular failure more commonly causes fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema) rather than peripheral dependent edema, and isolated systolic failure or biventricular failure don’t explain the classic gravity-dependent peripheral edema as clearly as isolated right-sided failure.