Diagnostic value of the conventional chest X-ray for the assessment of the haemodynamics after combined aortic mitral valve replacement

Conventional roentgenograms of 25 patients who underwent combined aortic and mitral valve replacement were evaluated and correlated with pre- and postoperative functional and haemodynamic parameters. The roentgenograms were obtained 6 months before and up to 24 months after valve replacement. A reduction in heart size could be seen in nearly all patients. This was independent of clinical and haemodynamic results. An increase in heart size always suggests severe haemodynamic worsening, especially a paravalvular leakage. The most valuable X-ray sign is the degree of pulmonary congestion, which is well correlated with the cardiac index. (orig.)