Cardiomegaly laboratory tests


 * Associate Editor in Chief:

Laboratory tests
Based upon the history and physical, a standard evaluation might include:

Common high yield tests:
 * Complete blood count (CBC): to rule out anemia
 * Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
 * Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) / creatinine

Less frequent low yield tests:
 * Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): to evaluate autoimmune causes
 * Calcium: to rule out hypocalcemia
 * Magnesium: to rule out hypomagnesemia
 * Rheumatoid factor
 * Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
 * Glucose
 * Pheochromocytoma screening
 * Phosphorus: to rule out hypophosphatemia
 * Blood cultures

Electrolyte and Biomarker Studies

 * Electrolytes should be periodically checked in the patient treated with a diuretic to avoid hypokalemia.
 * Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) levels may provide insight into the ongoing magnitude of LV dysfunction.