Stating clear indications for chest radiographs after cardiac surgery increases their efficacy and safely reduces costs

We investigated the efficacy and safety of chest radiographs (CXRs) performed on specified indications only, directly after cardiac surgery. CXRs in the ICU are frequently obtained routinely for postoperative cardiosurgical patients, despite the fact that the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of these CXRs is now known to be low [1]. Routine CXRs may only be beneficial for certain indications and the discussion regarding these indications and the safety of abandoning routine CXRs is still continuing [2].