Abstract
Clinical examination, including routine roentgenography of the heart, often fails to reveal the true extent of downward enlargement of the left ventricle. In the absence of roentgenologic contrast, the shadow produced by the downwardly enlarged portion of the heart merges with the normal subdiaphragmatic density and cannot be observed. Since this subdiaphragmatic density is produced chiefly by the stomach, it may be largely eliminated by the presence of an air or gas bubble in the stomach. If a portion of the cardiac shadow projects downward, it can then be visualized through the dark area produced by the stomach bubble. Such a bubble may be artificially produced by ingestion of a Seidlitz powder. While this method gives satisfactory roentgenologic contrast, it has the disadvantage of a strong laxative effect; thus it is undesirable as a routine procedure. Fortunately, the same contrast may be obtained without catharsis by using a commercial carbonated
Published Version
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