The cardiovascular system

Roentgenographic study of the heart and great vessels is an essential part of the examination of patients suspected of having disease involving these structures. In some conditions, the diagnosis can be made by means of roentgenographic methods alone, but it is important to recognize that roentgenographic and fluoroscopic studies form only a part of the complete examination and that the findings must be correlated with clinical history, physical findings, and electrocardiographic findings. Sometimes these studies will be supplemented with ultrasonography, CT, angiocardiography, and catheterization studies to obtain a complete picture of cardiovascular disease. On roentgenographic examination, the size and shape of the heart can be determined in various projections, and indications of diseases of the pulmonary artery and aorta as well as shunts and anomalous vessels may be seen. In addition, the roentgenogram furnishes a permanent record of the size and shape of the heart