A systematic review 1 including 29 studies with a total of 4 692 subjects was abstracted in DARE. Of these 16 had the chest radiograph reading blinded to the standard criterion result. The gold standard was echocardiography, radionuclide ventriculograph or invasive pressure measurement. Redistribution best diagnosed increased pre-load with a sensitivity of 65% (95% CI 55% to 75%) and a specificity of 67% (95% CI 53% to 79%). Cardiomegaly best diagnosed decreased ejection fraction with a sensitivity of 51% (95% CI 43% to 60%) and specificity of 79% (95% CI 71% to 85%).
Comment: The large number of unblinded studies may have influenced the results.
Primary/Secondary Keywords