The Use of Cinefluorography in Acquired Heart Disease

Abstract

Cinefluorog-raphy the process of taking motion pictures of the fluoroscopic screen of the image amplifier is now the best method for detecting and recording calcifications of the heart. In 630 consecutive cardiac cinefluorographs on men with various types of known or suspected heart disease, 150, or 23.8%, had coronary calcifications. 11 out of 13 patients (83%) with three major branches calcified, had signs or symptoms of arteriosclerotic heart disease. Cinefluorography is also the best method for recording pulsations of the heart, including the increased amplitude of pulsation of the aorta in the presence of aortic insufficiency and the paradoxical pulsation of the left heart border associated with a ventricular aneurysm. In addition, the fat lines about the heart are easily detected by this method. These epicardial fat lines become prominent in the presence of pericardial effusion or pleuropericardial thickening, and can be used to recognize the presence of pericardial effusion. The total radiation exposure is between 10 and 30 roentgens depending upon several factors including the type of cinefluorograph used, exposure time and the thickness and density of the patient.