Two-dimensional analysis of the cardiac shadow as an index of overhydration in patients with renal failure

Areas of cardiac shadow on routine chest X-ray films were measured in 54 chronic hemodialysis patients and two-dimensional cardiothoracic rations, (2°CTRS) defined as the square root of the cardiac shadow divided by the maximal thoracic width, were calculated. The patients were divided into 2 groups: patients in the A group (22 cases) had dry weights which had apparently been set at high levels, while patients in the B group (32 cases) constituted all of those excluded from the A group. The mean 2°CTR level in the A group (49.3±3.92%) was significantly (p