Novel Indexes in the Assessment of Cardiac Enlargement Using Chest Radiography: A New Look at an Old Problem

TL;DR

This study introduces new chest X-ray indexes to better detect heart enlargement and compares them with traditional methods.

Contribution

The study introduces novel radiographic indexes like the basic spherical index (BSI) for assessing cardiac enlargement.

Findings

TCD, CTR, and BSI are strong predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy and increased end-diastolic volume.

BSI > 137.5 shows high sensitivity and specificity for predicting cardiac enlargement based on LVEDV/BSA thresholds.

Abstract

Background: Chest X-rays are among the most frequently used imaging tests in medical practice. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of the cardio–thoracic ratio (CTR) and transverse cardiac diameter (TCD) and compare them with novel chest X-ray parameters used in screening for cardiac enlargement. Methods: CTR, TCD, and five other non-standard new radiographic indexes, including basic spherical index (BSI), assessing changes in cardiac silhouette in chest radiographs in posterior–anterior projection were related to increased left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) assessed in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Results: TCD, CTR, and BSI were the best predictors of both LVH and increased LVEDV diagnosed in CMR. The best sensitivity, along with good specificity in LVH prediction, defined as left ventricular mass/body surface area (BSA) > 72 g/m2 in men or >55 g/m2 in women, was observed when TCD and BSI parameters were used jointly (69.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.4–83.0% and 80.0%, 95% CI: 51.9–95.7%, respectively). In the prediction of cardiac enlargement defined as LVEDV/BSA > 117 mL/m2 in men or >101 mL/m2 in women, BSI > 137.5 had the best sensitivity and specificity (85.0%, 95% CI: 62.1–96.8% and 82.4%, 95% CI: 65.5–93.2%, respectively). Conclusions: TCD may be valuable in the assessment of patients suspected of having cardiac enlargement. CTR and BSI serve as complementary tools for a more precise approach. TCD appears particularly useful for the prediction of LVH, while BSI demonstrates greater utility as an indicator of increased LVEDV.

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