Complications of the histalog test of gastric acid secretion

This paper describes the complications encountered with the use of betazole hydrochloride in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight as a routine test for the stimulation of gastric secretion in a total of 747 subjects. A review is given of previous work on this subject and our own findings are discussed with special reference to myocardial ischemia. It is suggested that betazole hydrochloride tests be carried out with caution in the presence of coronary artery disease or aortic stenosis, and should be avoided in the presence of severe anemia, since this latter condition is easily correctable before the test is performed.