Effect of Domperidone on Lower Esophageal Sphincter Tone in Late Pregnancy

Abstract
Increasing the resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone is a useful method of preventing gastroesophageal reflux during obstetric anesthesia. The effects of a new antiemetic, domperidone [DP], on LES were studied in 28 subjects. Group I included 8 normal nonpregnant control subjects. The remaining 20 pregnant women were divided into 2 groups, Groups II and III.sbd.10 parturients without and 10 with symptoms of heartburn. DP increased LES pressure by 19, 11 and 10 cm H2O in Groups I, II and III, respectively. DP may be a valuable premedicant in some patients to decrease the chance of gastroesophageal reflux.