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Lower esophageal sphincter responds to electrical stimulation therapy for GERD
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WASHINGTON — Electrical stimulation therapy of the lower esophageal sphincter proved effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, according to a study presented here.
Electrical stimulation therapy produced a sustained improvement in symptoms, lower esophageal sphincter pressure and esophageal acid exposure, according to research presented at the American College of Gastroenterology’s Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course.
The study included 24 patients with GERD who were at least partially responsive to proton pump inhibitors.
Bipolar stitch electrodes were placed laparoscopically in the lower esophageal sphincter. Electrical stimulation (20 Hz, 3 mA to 5 mA) was delivered in 30-minute sessions using an implantable pulse generator placed subcutaneously in the anterior abdominal wall.
At final follow-up all 24 patients in the study had ended proton pump inhibitor treatment and had improved symptom severity based on the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Health-Related Quality Of Life scale after electrical stimulation therapy compared to during proton pump inhibitor treatment (3.4 + 3.3 vs. 9.8 + 6.2; P<.001).
Disclosure: EndoStim Inc. provided research funding for the trial.