What physiological outcome occurs in fresh water aspiration due to rapid fluid movement across alveolar membranes?

Answer

Dilution of blood and increased total blood volume.

The dynamic in fresh water aspiration is driven by the hypo-osmolarity of the inhaled liquid relative to the blood. Because fresh water has a much lower solute concentration than blood, the fluid quickly crosses the alveolar membranes due to osmotic pressure differences, moving directly into the vascular compartment. This massive and rapid influx of non-solute-containing fluid dilutes the existing blood volume, leading to hemodilution. Consequently, the total volume of circulating fluid increases substantially, imposing a significant workload on the heart, potentially resulting in circulatory overload and congestive heart failure as the cardiovascular system struggles to manage the expanded volume.

What physiological outcome occurs in fresh water aspiration due to rapid fluid movement across alveolar membranes?

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