AUGMENTED HISTAMINE TEST

Summary (1) The value of and the applications for the augmented histamine test are discussed. Proposals are put forth in reference to the nomenclature of gastric acid and the interpretation of the augmented histamine test for routine clinical purposes. (2) The results of the augmented histamine test in 14 patients with proven gastric ulcer and in 68 subjects with proven duodenal ulcer are presented. The mean acid outputs of men with gastric ulcer (all sites) for basal and histamine‐stimulated secretion were about one‐half that of men with duodenal ulcer. These differences were significant, statistically. (3) Duodenal ulcer patients with complications had a significantly higher maximal acid output to histamine than those without complication. The finding of a maximal acid output greater than 40 mEq/hr is highly suggestive of the presence or the imminence of a complication. (4) We prefer the use of the augmented histamine test as a routine gastric analysis procedure, since it is a quantitative test and, as such, gives reproducible acid output in the same individual, provides an estimate of the parietal cell mass, and gives a positive lead to the diagnosis of Zollinger‐Ellison syndrome.