Pentagastrin in diffuse oesophageal spasm.

Abstract

The effect of pentagastrin on esophageal motility was studied in 6 [human] subjects with idiopathic diffuse esophageal spasm (IDOS). Pentagastrin was administered by continuous i.v. infusion in doses of 1 .mu.g/kg per h, 5 .mu.g/kg per h and 10 .mu.g/kg per h. Saline infusion was used as a control. No subject experienced pain during pentagastrin infusion. Two developed dysphagia and repetitive contractions with wet swallows during the saline infusion and the lowest pentagastrin infusion. Contraction amplitude was increased only with dry swallows during the 10 .mu.g/kg per h infusion period. Contraction duration was increased with wet and dry swallows during the 10 .mu.g/kg per h infusion. Propagation velocity was not altered by pentagastrin. Gastrin released physiologically by eating probably does not contribute to symptom production in IDOS. Pentagastrin, at least in these doses, apparently cannot be exploited for diagnostic purposes.