THE EFFECTS OF ACID PERFUSION OF THE ESOPHAGUS ON VENTILATION AND RESPIRATORY SENSATION

The relationship between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and asthma rema ins controversial. Asthma symptoms worsen with CER, but are not consis tently related to changes in lung function. The purpose of this study was to determine whether acid perfusion (AP) of the esophagus alters v entilation and causes respiratory symptoms. Nonasthmatic patients with normal lung function and esophageal disease (16 females and nine male s, FEV1 %predicted = 99 +/- 9.6), underwent a Bernstein test after mot ility testing. Airflow, rib cage (Vrc>, and abdominal (Vab) tidal volu mes, esophageal (Pes) and gastric (Pga) pressure, and surface (Es) and esophageal (Edi) diaphragm electromyographic (EMC) signals were measu red. Throat, swallowing, chest, and stomach discomfort and respiratory sensation were estimated with the Borg scale. Minute ventilation ((V) over dot E) increased during AP and declined during recovery with sal ine perfusion of the esophagus (7.1 +/- 1.5 to 8.5 +/- 2.4 to 7.3 +/- 2.1 L/min; n = 25; p = 0.0002). Respiratory rate (RR) went from 13.6 /- 2.6 to 15.8 +/- 3.4 to 15.3 +/- 3.1 breaths/min (n = 25; p = 0.0002 ) during AP. (V) over dot E was greater in the Bernstein-positive pati ents during AP. Tidal volume (Vr), Vrc, Vab, Pes, Pga, Es, and Edi did not change during AP. Chest discomfort (D) correlated with ventilatio n ((V) over dot E = 0.7 + 0.8 D; r = 0.67; p < 0.001) and respiratory effort sensation (B) (B = 0.2 + 0.4 (V) over dot E; r = 0.70; p < 0.00 1) during AP. AP did not inhibit diaphragm activity. Increased (V) ove r dot E may explain the paradox of CER worsening respiratory symptoms without changing lung function.