Effect of high-frequency electrical stimulation of the stomach on gastric myoelectric activity in gastroparetic patients

Previous studies have demonstrated that gastric electrical stimulation (GES) with a high-frequency (12 cycles/min) is able to significantly improve nausea and vomiting in patients with severe gastroparesis. As no consistent effect on gastric emptying rate was observed, the mechanisms underlying symptomatic improvement remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of GES on gastric myoelectric activity and to identify possible mechanisms that could help explain how high-frequency GES Is effective in treating nausea and vomiting associated with refractory gastroparesis. Two-channel serosal recordings of gastric myoelectric activity before and during GES were measured in 15 gastroparetic patients who received high-frequency GES therapy for at least 3 months. Power spectral and cross correlation analyses revealed that possible explanations identified are increased propagation velocity, enhanced amplitude of postprandial slow waves, and reduced tachygastria after chronic GES.