[Successful esophageal pH monitoring with Bravo capsule in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease].
BACKGROUND
Esophageal 24-h pH monitoring (24-pH) is the most useful test to diagnose and treat patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The traditional system for 24-pH requires transnasal introduction of a catheter with pH sensors. This technique produces discomfort, inconvenience and interference with daily activity. Recently, the Bravo pH system has been proposed as an alternative and promising method for 24-pH. In this study, the initial experience in Mexico with this system is reported.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate safety, tolerability and performance of the pH Bravo capsule in patients with GERD.


METHODS
Patients with GERD symptoms at least twice a week during the last three months, with indication for 24-pH were evaluated. pH Bravo capsule was placed 6 cm above squamocolumnar junction (SCJ). Symptoms, quality and duration of pH tracings, capsule detachment and patient global satisfaction were evaluated.


RESULTS
Eleven patients (nine female, two male) mean age 42 years (range 26-62 years), two with erosive and nine with non-erosive GERD were studied. pH capsule was correctly positioned at 6 cm above SCJ in all patients. Nine patients noted a mild foreign body sensation (especially while eating) and four had mild chest pain; two patients had no discomfort. Capsule detachment occurred spontaneously in all patients on day 10. pH record for > 43 h was obtained in the 11 patients. There were no differences in pH parameters between days 1 and 2. Two patients with normal acid exposure on day 1 had abnormal pH parameters on day 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Esophageal pH monitoring with Bravo capsule is a safe, reliable and tolerable method in patients with GERD. Extended pH recordings increases abnormal esophageal acid exposure detection in patients with this disease.
Valdovinos Díaz
Miguel A
MA
Laboratorio de Motilidad Gastrointestinal, Departamento de Gastroenterología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, DF. mavaldo@quetzal.innsz.mx
Remes Troche
José Ma
JM
Ruiz Aguilar
Juan Carlos
JC
Schmulson
Max J
MJ
Valdovinos-Andraca
Francisco
F
D000328:Adult; D002214:Capsules; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination / Q000295:instrumentation; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
D002214:Capsules