Relations between clinical signs of right and left cardiac decompensation and radiological signs thereof.

Ten consecutive patients arriving at the emergency department for severe systemic cardiac decompensation were investigated in respect of 17 clinical and laboratory parameters indicative of right or left heart failure. Investigations were made at arrival to the hospital and after completed in-hospital care. In respect of left heart failure the presence of rales and signs of interstitial oedema had a similar sensitivity.