Vela, Marcelo F.

INTRODUCTION: High resolution manometry (HRM) is the gold standard to assess esophageal motility. Functional lumen imaging probe topography (FLIP) performed during EGD assesses esophagogastric junction (EGJ) distensibility and esophageal peristalsis. AIM: Evaluate FLIP-HRM agreement and value of FLIP as screening for dysmotility. METHODS: Patients with esophageal symptoms underwent FLIP and HRM. FLIP performed with 16-cm balloon; peristaltic response assessed at 30-40-50-60 ml and classified as repetitive antegrade contractions-RACs, repetitive retrograde contractions-RRCs, diminished/disordered contractility, or absent contractility; median EGJ distensibility index (DI) measured at 60 ml was deemed abnormal (<2 mm 2 /mmHg), indeterminate (2-3 mm 2 /mmHg), normal (> 3 mm 2 /mmHg). Normal FLIP defined by normal EGJ DI and RACs without RRCs. HRM Chicago classification v3.0 diagnosis was dichotomized as normal/minor disorder (normal, ineffective esophageal motility-IEM, or fragmented peristalsis-FP) or abnormal (achalasia, jackhammer esophagus-JE, distal esophageal spasm-DES, EGJ outflow obstruction-EJGOO, absent contractility). FLIP sensitivity/specificity calculated with HRM as gold standard. RESULTS: HRM and FLIP performed a median 18 days apart in 75 patients, 17-92 yo, 65% F. HRM diagnoses: normal/minor disorder 45% (28% normal, 16% IEM, 1% FP), abnormal 55% (17% absent contractility, 16% achalasia, 15 % EGJOO, 4% JE, 3% DES). FLIP diagnoses: 33% normal, 77% abnormal. When FLIP was normal, HRM showed normal/minor disorder in 58% (53% normal, 5% IEM), absent contractility 26%, JE 11%, EGJOO 5% (no achalasia or DES). Normal FLIP had 80% specificity for normal/minor HRM disorder. When FLIP was abnormal, HRM showed achalasia 21%, normal 20%, IEM 19%, EGOO 18%, absent contractility 14%, DES 4%, JE 2%, FP 2%. FLIP had 80% sensitivity for major motility disorder on HRM and was abnormal in 100% patients with achalasia or DES. A normal EGJ DI by itself had a negative predictive value of 90% for normal/minor HRM disorder. CONCLUSION: FLIP topography performed during EGD is promising as a screening tool for esophageal dysmotility, with 80% specificity for normal/minor HRM disorder, and 80% sensitivity for major HRM disorder. Normal FLIP during EGD for evaluation of esophageal symptoms may obviate the need for manometry. Likewise, HRM is clearly indicated in patients with abnormal FLIP, with high likelihood of major motility disorder on HRM in these patients.

OBJECTIVE: Data regarding opioid effects on esophageal function are limited. We previously demonstrated an association between chronic opioid use and esophageal motor dysfunction characterized by esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, distal esophageal spasm, achalasia type III, and possibly Jackhammer esophagus. Our aim was to characterize the influence of different opioids and doses on esophageal dysfunction. METHODS: Retrospective review of 225 patients prescribed oxycodone, hydrocodone, or tramadol for >3 months, who completed high-resolution manometry from 2012 to 2017. Demographic and manometric data were extracted from a prospectively maintained motility database. Frequency of opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction (OIED, defined as distal esophageal spasm, esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, achalasia type III, or Jackhammer esophagus on high-resolution manometry, was compared among different opioids. The total 24-hour opioid doses for oxycodone, hydrocodone, and tramadol were converted to a morphine equivalent for dose effect analysis. RESULTS: OIED was present in 24% (55 of 225) of opioid users. OIED was significantly more prevalent with oxycodone or hydrocodone use compared with tramadol (31% vs 28% vs 12%, P = 0.0162), and for oxycodone alone vs oxycodone with acetaminophen (43% vs 21%, P = 0.0482). There was no difference in OIED for patients taking hydrocodone alone vs hydrocodone with acetaminophen. Patients with OIED were taking a higher median 24-hour opioid dose than those without OIED (45 vs 30 mg, P = 0.058). DISCUSSION: OIED is more prevalent in patients taking oxycodone or hydrocodone compared with tramadol. There is greater likelihood of OIED developing with higher doses. Reducing the opioid dose or changing to tramadol may reduce OIED in opioid users.

Objective Antireflux surgery can be proposed in patients with GORD, especially when proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use leads to incomplete symptom improvement. However, to date, international consensus guidelines on the clinical criteria and additional technical examinations used in patient selection for antireflux surgery are lacking. We aimed at generating key recommendations in the selection of patients for antireflux surgery. Design We included 35 international experts (gastroenterologists, surgeons and physiologists) in a Delphi process and developed 37 statements that were revised by the Consensus Group, to start the Delphi process. Three voting rounds followed where each statement was presented with the evidence summary. The panel indicated the degree of agreement for the statement. When 80% of the Consensus Group agreed (A+/A) with a statement, this was defined as consensus. All votes were mutually anonymous. Results Patients with heartburn with a satisfactory response to PPIs, patients with a hiatal hernia (HH), patients with oesophagitis Los Angeles (LA) grade B or higher and patients with Barrett’s oesophagus are good candidates for antireflux surgery. An endoscopy prior to antireflux surgery is mandatory and a barium swallow should be performed in patients with suspicion of a HH or short oesophagus. Oesophageal manometry is mandatory to rule out major motility disorders. Finally, oesophageal pH (±impedance) monitoring of PPI is mandatory to select patients for antireflux surgery, if endoscopy is negative for unequivocal reflux oesophagitis. Conclusion With the ICARUS guidelines, we generated key recommendations for selection of patients for antireflux surgery.

AbstractBackgroundThe most recent Chicago Classification expanded the criteria for diagnosis of jackhammer esophagus (JHE) to include the distal contractile integral (DCI) of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The clinical impact of the manometric inclusion of LES hypercontractility remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the clinical features and long‐term outcomes of measured LES‐dependent (LD‐JHE) and LES‐independent (LI‐JHE) jackhammer esophagus.MethodsPatients meeting diagnostic criteria for JHE were identified at two academic medical centers. High‐resolution esophageal manometry data were re‐analyzed with inclusion and exclusion of the LES DCI. LD‐JHE was defined by falling outside JHE diagnostic criteria with exclusion of the LES. A telephone survey was conducted for follow‐up utilizing the impact dysphagia (IDQ‐10) questionnaire.Key ResultsEighty‐one patients met study inclusion criteria, with 12 (14.8%) classified as LD‐JHE. LD‐JHE patients had a significantly lower mean DCI and fewer swallows with DCI >8000 mm Hg‐s‐cm. Basal LES pressure was higher in patients with dysphagia to solids than those with dysphagia to solids and liquids. Clinical and manometric parameters were otherwise similar between groups. Sixty‐six patients had clinical or phone follow‐up at a median of 46.6 months. Forty‐one patients (62.1%) received therapies directed at JHE. There was no difference in symptom improvement for treated vs untreated patients or for JHE subtype.Conclusions and InferencesOur findings suggest that LD‐JHE and LI‐JHE are clinically indistinguishable and thus support existing diagnostic criteria. Furthermore, our long‐term follow‐up data suggest that JHE, irrespective of LES involvement, may improve without treatment. Further study is needed to clarify which patients merit therapeutic intervention.

AbstractBackgroundThe mechanism by which obesity leads to damage independent of reflux is unclear. We aimed to determine the influence of obesity on mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI), a functional measure of the epithelial barrier, in the presence and absence of acid reflux, using ambulatory pH impedance measurements.MethodsTwenty‐four‐hour pH impedance studies performed off medications in Caucasian men with a normal endoscopic examination were assessed for level of acid exposure and MNBI. Four patient groups were studied: Group 1, Not obese and normal acid exposure; Group 2, Obese and normal acid exposure; Group 3, Not obese and increased acid exposure; and Group 4, Obese with increased acid exposure.ResultsOne hundred patients were studied (25 in each group). Mean esophageal mucosal impedance (MI) was substantially lower in obese patients without reflux (Group 2) and non‐obese patients with reflux (Group 3) compared to normal controls (non‐obese, no reflux, Group 1). MI was progressively lower in the distal (vs the proximal) esophagus in GER patients, compared to those without GER. This difference persisted in the presence or absence of obesity. In contrast, in obese patients, the mean MI was significantly lower throughout the esophagus when compared to the non‐obese patients and also persisted in the presence and absence of accompanying reflux. Obesity and reflux were both independently negatively correlated with MI.ConclusionObesity is associated with abnormal esophageal MNBI. In contrast to gastro‐esophageal reflux, this decrease is pan‐esophageal. These data may support a systemic mechanism by which obesity alters the esophageal barrier function.

Goals: To assess the effect of unilateral versus bilateral lung transplantation (LTx) on esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux, and the association with the development of obstructive chronic lung allograft dysfunction (o-CLAD). Background: We have shown that esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, incomplete bolus transit, and proximal reflux are all independent risk factors for the development of chronic allograft failure. However, it remains unclear whether these factors are influenced by the type of surgery and how this relates to allograft failure. Study: Patients post-LTx (n=48, 24 female; aged 20 to 73 y) completed high-resolution impedance manometry and 24-hour pH/impedance. Results: Patients who had undergone unilateral LTx were more likely to exhibit esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (47% vs. 18%; P=0.046) and less likely to exhibit hypocontractility (0% vs. 21%; P=0.058) than those who had undergone bilateral LTx. Although the proportion of patients exhibiting gastroesophageal reflux was no different between groups (33% vs. 39%; P=0.505), those undergoing bilateral LTx were more likely to exhibit proximal reflux (8% vs. 37%; P=0.067). Univariate Cox proportion hazards regression analysis did not show a difference between unilateral versus bilateral LTx in the development of o-CLAD (hazard ratio=1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-2.85; P=0.723). Conclusion: The type of LTx performed seems to lead to different risk factors for the development of o-CLAD. Physicians should be aware of these differences, as they may need to be taken into account when managing patient’s post-LTx.

AbstractBackgroundProximal reflux and incomplete transit of boluses swallowed are risk factors for obstructive chronic lung allograft dysfunction (o‐CLAD) post‐lung transplantation (LTx). Likewise, so is esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO), but not hypo‐contractility, when diagnosed using Chicago Classification (CC) v3.0. Given, peristaltic breaks as defined using CCv2.0 can prolong esophageal clearance, both swallowed and refluxed, but which are deemed within normality using CCv3.0, our aim was to determine whether hypo‐contractility as diagnosed using CCv2.0, influences the association with reflux, along with its clearance, and that of boluses swallowed, and thus its association to allograft failure.MethodsEsophageal motility abnormalities were classified using CC v3.0 and v2.0 in 50 patients post‐LTx (26 female, 55 years (20‐73 years)).ResultsReclassification from CCv3.0 to v2.0 resulted in 7 patients with normal motility being reclassified to hypo‐contractility (n = 6) or hyper‐contractility (n = 1); 2 patients with hypo‐contractility to normal motility; and 3 patients with EGJOO without hyper‐contractility to EGJOO with hyper‐contractility. The main consequence of reclassification was that the sub‐group exhibiting hypo‐contractility became more likely to have abnormal numbers of reflux events (P = .025) and incomplete bolus transit (P = .002) than those with normal motility using CCv2.0; associations not seen using CCv3.0. Irrespective of CC used only patients with EGJOO appeared more likely to develop o‐CLAD than those with normal motility (P < .05).ConclusionsIrrespective of CC used, o‐CLAD appears linked to EGJOO. CCv2.0 however, accentuates the increased reflux and incomplete bolus transit associated with hypo‐contractility post‐LTx, suggesting that these motor abnormalities, though considered minor, may be of importance after lung transplant.