Which patient position is used for cardio patients?

• A. Dorsoventral
• B. Ventrodorsal
• C. Lateral
• D. Supine

Answer: (A)

When interpreting thoracic radiographs for heart disease, the projection matters because it changes how large the heart looks on the image. The dorsoventral projection (beam from the back to the belly with the patient lying on its back) tends to show the cardiac silhouette closer to its true size by reducing magnification and distortion. This makes it easier to assess heart size and contour in cardiology patients, especially when they’re ill or cannot stand.

In contrast, other positions can exaggerate or obscure parts of the heart and lungs: ventrodorsal can increase magnification of the heart, lateral views can introduce positional distortions depending on which side is down and how the patient is breathing, and supine positioning can compromise inspiration and patient comfort. For these reasons, dorsoventral is the preferred position for evaluating the heart in cardio cases.