[Use of the platinum-hydrogen test for diagnosis of left-right ejections in congenital heart defects]

In 120 patients with "functional" murmurs and congental cardiac defects with sinistodextral shunts at the aorto-pulmonary level and at that of the cardiac cavities the platinum-hydrogen test was employed in diagnostic probing. In all cases of the shunts this test revealed a distinct ejection of the body from the left to the right, whereas the oxygenonetry of the blood samples failed to indicate any increased oxygenation at a corresponding level, or else it proved questionable in 26 per cent of the interatrial septum defects, in 32 per cent of the interventrical septum defects and in 19 per cent of aorto-pulmonary communications. An analysis of the material showed the method to display a high degree of sensitivity. Its simplicity, reliability and safety for the patient justify recommending the platinum-hydrogen test for a wider application in the clinical practice.