The Artificially Produced Stomach Bubble

A Radiographic and Cineradiographic Aid In the Study of Cardiomegaly

¹ Department of Medicine, Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles, California; U.C.L.A., School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
² Department of Radiology, Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles, California.
³ Department of Medicine, Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles, California.

A simple roentgenographic method has been described as an aid in visualization and measurement of the lower portion of the anterior cardiac surface and borders. This method consists of x-ray and fluoroscopic examination of the heart after artificial production of a stomach bubble by carbonated beverages.

In some patients with enlarged hearts, examination with this technique disclosed as much as one-third of the total anterior surface area of the heart which was not visualized on routine chest films. The stomach bubble not only revealed the true size of these hearts, which previously had been erroneously estimated but also disclosed the true contours of the inferior and apical segments.

In addition the stomach bubble permits more adequate fluoroscopic examination of the heart, especially in those cases in which a portion of the left ventricle is enlarged downward. The heightened roentgenologic contrast facilitates examination of the cardiac pulsations of this part of the heart and aids in the search for intracardiac and pericardial calcification.

It is suggested that this method of examination be used routinely to study and follow the progress of diseased hearts.