| Effect of
Inspiratory effort on heart size |
| Inspiration |
| Expiration |
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| In
expiration the heart appears larger than it does on full inspiration. A |
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| pregnant
patient, one with ascites, or an obese patient might not be able |
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| to
take a full inspiration which might make the heart look bigger than it |
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| actually
is. Eight to nine posterior ribs showing is a good inspiration. |
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