[Radiographs of the thorax in acute myocardial infarction]

Radiographs of the thorax were evaluated in 240 patients during the acute phase following a myocardial infarct. Following the acute infarct, 53% of the patients showed some cardiac enlargement, in a quarter this was marked. Congestive lung changes were found in 53% of patient following the infarct, interstitial pulmonary oedema in 22% and intra alveolar oedema in 9%. Patients with marked cardiac enlargement and those with congestive lung changes showed a bad prognosis, particularly if the congestion did not regress rapidly. Even advanced pulmonary congestion and interstitial oedema may be missed by clinical examination. Radiography of the thorax following acute myocardial infarction is of value in treatment and prognosis.