ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Monitoring of lung fluid content (LFC) in order to predict acute heart failure (AHF) during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an unmet challenge. AIM: To evaluate in AMI patients the ability of proposed radiological score (RS), which is the sum of selected radiological signs of congestion, to reflect correctly LFC, as assessed with repeat physical examinations and lung impedance (LI) measurements. METHODS: Chest X-rays were taken at baseline, when rales were detected, whenever indicated, and at conclusion of monitoring. RS grading for LFC assessment was: RS = 0-1 for normal X-ray, RS = 2-4 for interstitial congestion, and RS values of 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 signified mild, moderate and severe alveolar edema, respectively. RESULTS: 624 AMI patients without AHF at baseline were monitored (94 ± 42 h). 476 patients (76%) with baseline RS of 0.3 ± 0.5 did not develop AHF. Overt AHF developed in 148 patients (24%) during monitoring; baseline RS (0.6 ± 0.8) reached 5.4 ± 0.7, 7.0 ± 0.8, and 9.8 ± 0.5 at the stages of mild, moderate, and severe alveolar edema, respectively. AHF resolved with treatment. RS decreased to 1.5 ± 1.3 (P < 0.01) and correlated with physical examination (r = 0.6, P < 0.01) and LI (r = -0.9, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: RS correlated well with findings on physical examination during AHF and closely correlated with LI.
Subject(s)
Extravascular Lung Water/diagnostic imaging , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Pulmonary Edema/diagnostic imaging , Acute Disease , Aged , Cardiography, Impedance , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Physiologic , Prospective Studies , Radiography, Thoracic , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that might require immediate assessment and therapy. We present the case of a 71-year-old woman with essential hypertension complaining about low back pain; unenhanced thoracic-lumbar spine computed tomography examination (CT) revealed a hyperdense thin line across the aorta with an appearance of "double aortic lumen". Enhanced CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of type B aortic dissection. Radiologists should be familiar with this finding that could be considered a new radiological sign of aortic dissection on unenhanced CT examination.
