Gastric Electrical Stimulation Is an Option for Patients with Refractory Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disabling migraine variant manifesting as severe episodes of nausea and vomiting and often refractory to many therapies. Gastric electrical stimulation (GES), which can reduce nausea and vomiting in gastroparesis, may provide symptomatic relief for drug-refractory CVS. This study assessed the utility GES in reducing the symptoms of CVS and improving the quality of life. METHODS: A one-year, non-randomized, clinical study was conducted. Eleven consecutive patients with drug refractory, cyclic vomiting syndrome based on Rome III criteria and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN), underwent treatment with temporary GES (Temp GES) and permanent GES (Perm GES). Post-treatment follow up was done up to one year after permanent gastric electrical stimulation therapy. RESULTS: Total symptom score decreased by 68% and 40% after temporary and permanent GES therapies, respectively. Hospital admission events significantly decreased to 1.50 (± 1.00) events from 9.14 (± 7.21) annual admissions prior to treatment with permanent GES. Vomiting episodes fell by 83% post Temp GES and 69% after Perm GES treatments. Mucosal electrogram values also changed after temporary stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: In a small group of drug-refractory CVS patients, treatments with temporary and permanent GES significantly reduced the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and frequency of hospital admissions.

Gastroparesis / 胃肠病学

Gastroparesis is a clinical syndrome characterized by delayed gastric emptying of meal in the absence of mechanical obstruction of gastric outlet. In this article,the pathogenesis,etiology,epidemiology,clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of gastroparesis were reviewed.

Central Opioid Peptide-containing Neurons Mediates Therapeutic Effect of Short-pulse Gastric Electrical Stimulation on Dyspepsia-like Symptoms in Dogs / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study investigated whether the curative effect of short-pulse gastric electrical stimulation (GES) on the vasopressin-induced dyspeptic symptoms was mediated by central opioid peptide-producing neurons. Five female beagle dogs implanted with 1 pair of electrodes in gastric serosa were used in a two-experiment study. In experiment one,the brain was scanned by positron emission tomography in 3 dogs with and without short-pulse GES,and the radioactivity in nuclei of solitary tract (NST) and hypothalamus was detected. Experiment two was composed of 4 sessions. In session one,the dogs were injected with vasopressin in the absence of short-pulse GES. With session two,the short-pulse GES was simultaneously given via the electrodes with the injection of vasopressin. In sessions three and four,naloxone and naloxone methiodide was administered respectively in the presence of short-pulse GES. Motion sickness-like symptoms were scored and compared among the different sessions. The results showed that the short-pulse GES significantly increased the radioactivity in NST and hypothalamic nuclei (P＜0.05,vs control). The short-pulse GES could ameliorate the vasopressin-induced motion sickness-like symptoms in dogs. Naloxone,but not naloxone methiodide could attenuate the curative effects of short-pulse GES. It is concluded that NST and hypothalamic nuclei may participate in the mediation of the curative effects of short-pulse GES on dyspepsia-like symptoms. Central opioid peptide-containing neurons presumably mediate the therapeutic effect on dyspeptic symptoms of short-pulse GES.

Gastroparesis: Current Concepts and Management

Delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction is referred to as gastroparesis. Symptoms that are often attributed to gastroparesis include postprandial fullness, nausea, and vomiting. Although tests of gastric motor function may aid diagnostic labeling, their contribution to determining the treatment approach is often limited. Although clinical suspicion of gastroparesis warrants the exclusion of mechanical causes and serum electrolyte imbalances, followed by empirical treatment with a gastroprokinetic such as domperidone or metoclopramide, evidence that these drugs are effective for patients with gastroparesis is far from overwhelming. In refractory cases with severe weight loss, invasive therapeutics such as inserting a feeding jejunostomy tube, intrapyloric injection of botulinum toxin, surgical (partial) gastrectomy, and implantable gastric electrical stimulation are occasionally considered.

Obesity and Gastrointestinal Motility / 대한소화기학회지

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility has a crucial role in the food consumption, digestion and absorption, and also controls the appetite and satiety. In obese patients, various alterations of GI motility have been investigated. The prevalence of GERD and esophageal motor disorders in obese patients are higher than those of general population. Gastric emptying of solid food is generally accelerated and fasting gastric volume especially in distal stomach is larger in obese patients without change in accommodation. Contractile activity of small intestine in fasting period is more prominent, but orocecal transit is delayed. Autonomic dysfunction is frequently demonstrated in obese patients. These findings correspond with increased appetite and delayed satiety in obese patients, but causes or results have not been confirmed. Therapeutic interventions of these altered GI motility have been developed using botulinum toxin, gastric electrical stimulation in obese patients. Novel agents targeted for GI hormone modulation (such as ghrelin and leptin) need to be developed in the near future.