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.
Cordova-Fraga
Teodoro
T
Instituto de Fisica, Universidad de Guanajuato, Lomas del Campestre, Leon 37150, Gto., Mexico.
Sosa
Modesto
M
Wiechers
Carlos
C
De la Roca-Chiapas
Jose-Maria
JM
Maldonado Moreles
Alejandro
A
Bernal-Alvarado
Jesus
J
Huerta-Franco
Raquel
R
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