Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
ST elevation myocardial infarction chest x ray
Introduction
Overview
Overview
A chest x ray is often obtained in the patient with ST elevation MI, but its performance should not delay the delivery of reperfusion therapy. The CXR should be evaluated to exclude a wide mediastinum that would suggest an aortic dissection that could cause an MI, and the presence of cardiomegaly, pulmonary vascular redistribution and pulmonary edema consistent with heart failure should be noted. The presence of pulmonary edema is associated with higher short term mortality [1]