Twenty-four hour tonometry in patients suspected of chronic gastrointestinal ischemia.
OBJECTIVE
Gastrointestinal tonometry is currently the only clinical diagnostic test that enables identification of symptomatic chronic gastrointestinal ischemia. Gastric exercise tonometry has proven its value for detection of ischemia in this patients group, but has its disadvantages. Earlier studies with postprandial tonometry gave unreliable results. In this study we challenged (again) the use of postprandial tonometry in patients suspected of gastrointestinal ischemia.


METHODS
Patients suspected for chronic gastrointestinal ischemia had standard diagnostic work up, including gastric exercise tonometry and 24-h tonometry using standard meals.


RESULTS
Thirty-three patients were enrolled in the study. Chronic gastrointestinal ischemia was diagnosed in 17 (52%) patients. The 24-h tonometry correctly predicted the presence of ischemia in 13/17 patients, and absence of ischemia in 15/16 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of 24-h tonometry after meals in patients suspected of gastrointestinal ischemia seems feasible, with promising accuracy for the detection of ischemia.
Mensink
Peter B F
PB
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, s-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. p.mensink@erasmusmc.nl
Geelkerken
Robert H
RH
Huisman
Ad B
AB
Kuipers
Ernst J
EJ
Kolkman
Jeroen J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies