Effects of anatomical position on esophageal transit time: a biomagnetic diagnostic technique.
OBJECTIVE
To study the esophageal transit time (ETT) and compare its mean value among three anatomical inclinations of the body; and to analyze the correlation of ETT to body mass index (BMI).


METHODS
A biomagnetic technique was implemented to perform this study: (1) The transit time of a magnetic marker (MM) through the esophagus was measured using two fluxgate sensors placed over the chest of 14 healthy subjects; (2) the ETT was assessed in three anatomical positions (at upright, fowler, and supine positions; 90 degrees , 45 degrees and 0 degrees , respectively).


RESULTS
ANOVA and Tuckey post-hoc tests demonstrated significant differences between ETT mean of the different positions. The ETT means were 5.2 +/- 1.1 s, 6.1 +/- 1.5 s, and 23.6 +/- 9.2 s for 90 degrees , 45 degrees and 0 degrees , respectively. Pearson correlation results were r = -0.716 and P < 0.001 by subjects' anatomical position, and r = -0.024 and P > 0.05 according the subject's BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that using this biomagnetic technique, it is possible to measure the ETT and the effects of the anatomical position on the ETT.
Instituto de Fisica, Universidad de Guanajuato, Lomas del Campestre, Leon 37150, Gto., Mexico.
Teodoro
T
Cordova-Fraga
Modesto
M
Sosa
Carlos
C
Wiechers
Jose-Maria
JM
De la Roca-Chiapas
Alejandro
A
Maldonado Moreles
Jesus
J
Bernal-Alvarado
Raquel
R
Huerta-Franco
D015992:Body Mass Index; D003938:Diagnostic Techniques, Digestive System; D004947:Esophagus / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016683:Supine Position; D055815:Young Adult