6th May 2025

A 73-year-old patient presents with shortness of breath and a persistent cough productive of white, frothy phlegm.

A 73-year-old patient presents with shortness of breath and a persistent cough productive of white, frothy phlegm. He has a past medical history of previous myocardial infarction, aortic stenosis and angina. His CXR shows bilateral pleural effusions and pulmonary oedema. Your main working diagnosis is heart failure.

Which of the following findings would make a diagnosis of heart failure less likely?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.