Radiologische Verlaufskontrolle der Thoraxorgane beim Intensivpflegepatienten

Correlation between chest radiographs and clinical indicators was studied in 212 patients in intensive care. 1. There was good correlation between raised pulmonary artery pressure and radiological signs of left heart insufficiency, but not with the value of central venous pressure. 2. Fever and leukocytosis nearly always precede radiological evidence of pneumonia; their persistence does not necessarily indicate persistent pneumonia. 3. Pneumonias, effusions, atelectases and emboli are more common on the right. 4. More than 70% of central venous catheters were incorrectly placed; most commonly, the catheter was placed too low. Life-threatening complications occurred in 1.3%.