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Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 279: G374-G379, 2000;
0193-1857/00 $5.00
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Vol. 279, Issue 2, G374-G379, August 2000

Esophageal tone in patients with total aperistalsis: gastroesophageal reflux disease versus achalasia

Fermín Mearin, Celia Vasconez, Natalia Zárate, and Juan R. Malagelada

Digestive System Research Unit, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain

We have evaluated esophageal tone in two different conditions that, in some cases, similarly impair phasic esophageal motility. Studies were performed in 14 healthy volunteers, 10 patients with total esophageal aperistalsis secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and 25 untreated achalasia patients. We quantified esophageal compliance and relaxation induced by a nitric oxide donor using a barostat. Intraesophageal volume at a minimal distending pressure (2 mmHg) was not significantly different among all three groups (4.1 ± 0.7, 3.8 ± 0.7, and 4.2 ± 1.2 ml for healthy, GERD, and achalasia groups, respectively). Esophageal compliance was significantly increased (P < 0.05 vs. healthy group) in the two groups of patients with aperistalsis (1.9 ± 0.2, 3.0 ± 0.2, and 3.1 ± 0.3 ml/mmHg for healthy, GERD, and achalasia groups, respectively). Esophageal relaxation was decreased in GERD patients (Delta  diameter: 0.4 ± 0.1 cm) and increased in achalasia patients (Delta  diameter: 1.3 ± 0.4 cm) relative to healthy subjects (Delta  diameter: 0.9 ± 0.2 cm) (P < 0.05 for GERD vs. achalasia and healthy groups). Our results indicate that diseases that similarly impair phasic esophageal motility may affect esophageal tone differently.

esophageal motility; esophageal tonic activity; esophageal barostat; amyl nitrite; nitric oxide donor


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