OESOPHAGUS

Acid reflux event detection using the Bravo wireless versus the Slimline catheter pH systems: why are the numbers so different?

J E Pandolfino, Q Zhang, M A Schreiner, S Ghosh, M P Roth, P J Kahrilas

Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Correspondence to:
Dr J E Pandolfino
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, 676 N St Clair St, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA; j-pandolfino{at}northwestern.edu

Objective: This study analysed the relative accuracy of the Bravo wireless and the Slimline catheter-Mark III Digitrapper pH systems in the detection of acid reflux events.

Methods: Twenty five asymptomatic subjects were studied. A Bravo capsule was placed 6 cm above the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ), marked by an endoclip, and a Slimline pH catheter was placed 5 cm above the manometrically localised lower oesophageal sphincter. The distance between the SCJ and each pH electrode was measured fluoroscopically. An in vivo pH reference was established using swallows of orange juice (pH 3.88). Concurrent pH data from the two systems were analysed in Excel spreadsheets.

Results: Significantly more acid reflux events were reported by the Digitrapper system than the Bravo system (117.0 v 41.8). This was not explained by electrode position as there was no difference in median distance between the SCJ and either pH electrode (7.25 cm v 7.08 cm). The dominant source of discrepancy between systems was inaccuracy in electrode calibration and, after adjustment using the in vivo orange juice pH measurement, the discrepancy improved by 40%. However, discrepancy still existed and was most pronounced with short reflux events (1–15 s for the catheter, 1–17 s for the Bravo) associated with minimal intraoesophageal acidity and poor concordance between systems.

Conclusion: Substantially more reflux events were reported by the Digitrapper system compared with the Bravo system; 40% of excess events were attributable to a flawed software scheme for electrode thermal calibration while most of the remainder were brief events with poor reproducibility between systems.

Abbreviations: SCJ, squamocolumnar junction; LOS, lower oesophageal sphincter; GORD, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; IQR, interquartile range

Keywords: pH monitoring; reflux events; Bravo; Slimline

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Articles

Bravo wireless versus catheter pH monitoring systems

M Fox
Gut 2006 55: 434-435. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• (2006). Acid Reflux Event Detection. JWatch Gastroenterology 2006: 3-3 [Full Text]  
• Holloway, R H (2005). Capsule pH monitoring: is wireless more?. Gut 54: 1672-1681 [Full Text]