Dynamics of level of randomness of electrogastrograms can be indicative ofgastric electrical uncoupling in dogs

Gastric electrical uncoupling is the lack of electrical synchronization in different parts of the stomach. The aim of this study was to investigate th e impact of gastric electrical uncoupling on the level of randomness of can ine electrogastrograms (EGG). Electrogastrograms were obtained from 11 unco nscious acute dogs. Gastric electrical uncoupling was produced surgically b y performing two consecutive circumferential cuts through the entire thickn ess of the gastric muscle layer. Three separate 1/2-hr eight-channel bipola r EGGs were obtained from each dog in the basal state and after each cut. T he signals were amplified using amplifiers with a flexible frequency range, digitized with 10-Hz sampling frequency, and 4.27-min portions of the digi tal EGGs were subjected to a turning point test for randomness. The number of turning points (NTPs) was determined from successive time intervals calc ulated from all EGG channels. Distributions of NTPs were calculated for eac h dog. An average NTPs (ANTP) for each dog in a given state (basal, after t he first cut, and after the second cut) was calculated from the ANTPs of al l channels. In six of 11 dogs the ANTP were greater after the first cut. Th e number rose to nine of 11 dogs after the second cut. In only 45% of the d ogs were the ANTP distributions significantly different (P < 0.01) after th e first cut (sensitivity 45%), After the second cut the sensitivity rose to 64%, In two specific EGG channels NTP distribution, was significantly diff erent (P < 0.01) in nine of 11 dogs (sensitivity: 82%) after the second cut . The dynamics of the level of randomness in EGG can be indicative of sever e gastric electrical uncoupling. Some EGG channel configurations are more s ensitive than others in recognizing gastric electrical uncoupling.