Relations between clinical signs of right and left cardiac decompensation and radiological signs thereof

Ten consecutive patients arriving at the emergency department for severe systemic cardiac decompensation were investigated in respect of 17 clinical and laboratory parameters indicative of right or left heart failure. Investigations were made at arrival to the hospital and after completed in-hospital care. In respect of left heart failure the presence of rales and signs of interstitial oedema had a similar sensitivity. Both were of diagnostic value. Right heart failure was best diagnosed with clinical parameters such as pitting oedema, filling of the jugular vein, and liver enlargement. The laboratory parameters were less sensitive and appeared to have not a diagnostic but well a confirmatory value.