title: Electrical stimulation for gastroesophageal reflux disease: current state of the art.
abstract: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who are not satisfied with acid suppression therapy can benefit primarily from fundoplication, a surgical intervention. Fundoplication has been the standard surgical procedure for GERD. It is effective but is associated with adverse effects, resulting in a declining number of interventions, creating a need for alternative interventions that are effective, yet have a better adverse effect profile. One such alternative involves the application of electrical stimulation to the lower esophageal sphincter. A number of animal studies showed that such stimulation can increase resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure. An acute human study confirmed this effect, and was followed by two open-label studies, with a follow-up of up to 3 years. Results thus far show that the therapy is associated with a significant improvement in symptoms, a significant reduction in esophageal acid exposure, and a very good safety profile. This review will describe the evolution of electrical stimulation therapy for GERD, as well as the safety and efficacy of this intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Edy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Soffer
keywords: gastroesophageal reflux disease; health-related quality of life; lower esophageal sphincter
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