Paralysis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Paralysis, including details on treatment, diagnosis, facial paralysis, sleep paralysis.

Two-channel gastric pacing with a novel implantable gastric pacemaker accelerates glucagon-induced delayed gastric emptying in dogs.

Xu J, Ross RA, McCallum RW, Chen JD

Division of Gastroenterology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of 2-channel gastric electrical stimulation (GES) with a custom-made implantable pacemaker on delayed gastric emptying and gastric dysrhythmia induced by glucagon in dogs. METHODS: Six dogs were studied in 4 randomized session (saline, glucagon, glucagon with single-channel or 2-channel GES). GES was applied via the first pair of electrodes for single-channel GES or the first and third pairs of electrodes for 2-channel GES. Gastric emptying was assessed for 90 minutes and gastric slow waves were recorded at the same time. RESULTS: Both single-channel and 2-channel GES improved gastric dysrhythmia (P < .05 vs glucagon session). Two-channel GES but not single-channel GES improved glucagon-induced delayed gastric emptying at 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 75 minutes, and 90 minutes. CONCLUSION: Two-channel GES with a novel implantable pacemaker is more efficient and effective than single-channel GES in improving delayed gastric emptying induced by glucagon. This implantable multipoint pacemaker may provide a new option for treatment of gastric motility disorders.

Published 17 December 2007 in Am J Surg, 195(1): 122-9.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Paralysis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.