Alteration of Esophageal Peristalsis by Pentagastrin in Patients with Diffuse Esophageal Spasm

Abstract

Eckardt, V. F., Krüger, J., Holtermüller, K.-H. & Ewe, K. Alteration of esophageal peristalsis by pentagastrin in patients with diffuse esophageal spasm. Scand. J. Gaslroenl. 1975, 10, 475-479.

Although it has been shown that gastrin and gastric alkalinization affect the lower esophageal sphincter, in vivo studies have not demonstrated a measurable effect of pentagastrin on esophageal peristalsis. In 9 patients with diffuse esophageal spasm and in 10 control subjects esophageal peristalsis was recorded before and after pentagastrin injections. Subcutaneous pentagastrin in-creased peak amplitude significantly more in patients, 31.2 ± 8.1 min Hg (mean ± S.E.M.), than in controls, 12.1 ±5.1 mm Hg (P < 0.02), Max. duration of contraction waves in patients showed a rise of 11.3 ± 2.7 sec as compared to controls, 1.9 ± 0.9 sec (P <0.01), The effect of pentagastrin on esophageal peristalsis in patients with diffuse esophageal spasm may be explained as denervation supersensitivity.

Key-words::

• Carbachol
• diffuse esophageal spasm
• esophageal peristalsis
• max. duration of contraction waves
• max. height of contraction waves
• pentagastrin
• supersensitivity