Program

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The Role of CXRs in Cardiac Disease: Are they helpful? What can they tell you? (available virtually)

May 27, 2023 from 10:20am EDT to 11:05am EDT

Available Virtually

There have been significant new imaging tests that are used to diagnose cardiac diseases, yet the chest radiograph (CXR) remains a simple diagnostic tool for a variety of conditions.  The CXR remains the most common imaging tool used in cardiac disease.  CXRs are inexpensive yet can provide valuable clinical information.  A CXR can be used to identify a variety of conditions including pleural effusions, pneumonia, pneumothorax, heart size, aortic dissection, and aortic enlargement. Each of these conditions are often seen in cardiac diseases.  The purpose of this workshop is to review key CXR findings and correlate them to physical findings and specific cardiac conditions.  For example, in heart failure, CXRs may show pleural effusions, cardiomegaly, Kerley B lines, pulmonary venous congestion, and interstitial edema.  Clinical findings may include decreased breath sounds, crackles, increased JVP and S3, S4 heart sounds.  A variety of conditions including pleural effusions, pneumonia, pneumothorax, cardiomegaly, aortic enlargement/dissection will be discussed in relation to clinical findings and correlation to CXR results.

It is essential that cardiovascular nurses are able to efficiently assess cardiac patients and be able to understand how the diagnostic tests help to differentiate findings to cardiac conditions.  Nurses play a pivotal role in early assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiac patients.  A clear understanding of diagnostic tests (CXRs) will help cardiac nurses work to their full scope of practice to assist in the holistic care of cardiovascular patients.

Speakers / Panelists