Radiographic signs of congestive heart failure in dogs include which two patterns?

• A. Cardiomegaly with pulmonary edema and pleural effusion
• B. Normal heart size with bronchial pattern
• C. Hyperinflation and pulmonary edema
• D. Pericardial effusion and aortic aneurysm

Answer: (A)

In congestive heart failure, the heart’s pumping problem leads to fluid backing up both in the lungs and in potential spaces around the heart. The main radiographic signs are an enlarged cardiac silhouette (cardiomegaly) indicating chamber dilation, along with pulmonary edema from fluid overload in the lungs. Pleural effusion is a common accompanying finding in dogs, so you may see fluid layering in the chest outside the lungs as well. This combination—cardiomegaly plus pulmonary edema, often with pleural effusion—is the pattern that best matches CHF on radiographs.

So the radiographic pattern that fits CHF most closely is an enlarged heart with edema in the lungs, with pleural effusion commonly added as a supportive sign. The other patterns describe findings more typical of non-CHF diseases (for example, a normal heart size with bronchial markings suggests airway disease; hyperinflation isn’t a hallmark of typical CHF in dogs; pericardial effusion or aortic aneurysm point to other conditions).