NORMAL ESOPHAGEAL BODY FUNCTION - A STUDY USING AMBULATORY ESOPHAGEALMANOMETRY

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish normative ambu latory manometric data for contractions and contraction propagation in three levels of the esophagus. Methods: Twenty-five healthy volunteer s underwent simultaneous ambulatory 24 h manometry. Concomitant 24 h p H studies were performed to exclude the presence of increased esophage al acid exposure. Pressures were recorded over a complete circadian cy cle while patients continued with their normal lifestyles including ea ting and sleeping. Data were analyzed with a software program that was previously modified and validated and that enables quantitation of co ntractions in terms of efficacy. Results: The frequency of contraction s was lowest during sleep, was increased when awake, and was highest d uring meals. Contraction amplitude increased during meals, providing a greater propulsive force for bolus transport. Similarly, the prevalen ce of peristaltic waves varied according to different physiologic stat es, i.e., while eating, upright, awake, and sleeping. An increased amp litude and prevalence of peristalsis resulted in an increase in manome tric efficacy during meals. Conclusions: This study provides normative data for ambulatory manometry for comparison when studying patients w ith disease. (C) 1998 by Am. Cell. of Gastroenterology).