Radiographic diagnosis of heart failure

In the initial evaluation of cardiac patients, valuable information can be derived from the chest radiograph. In general, acute left-sided heart failure is shown by an erate cardiomegaly, cephalization of the pulmonary vascularity, and a mixed type of pulmonary edema. Gross alveolar pulmonary edema with a normal or minimally enlarged heart. Subacute failure is associated with modcardiomegaly, striking cephalization, and interstitial pulmonary edema are hallmarks of chronic left-sided heart failure. Right-sided heart failure is shown by enlarged systemic veins and right-sided chambers as well as pulmonary oligemia. Pleural effusions in heart failure tend to be bilateral or unilateral on the right side.