Subclinical esophageal peristaltic dysfunction during the early phase following a stroke

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences Vol. 44; no. 2; pp. 274 - 278
• Main Authors: AITHAL, G. P, NYLANDER, D, DWARAKANATH, A. D, TANNER, A. R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.02.1999; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cerebrovascular Disorders - complications; Cerebrovascular Disorders - physiopathology; Esophageal Motility Disorders - etiology; Esophagus; Esophagus - physiopathology; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Male; Manometry; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Time Factors; Human; Manometry; Evaluation; Nervous system diseases; Stroke; Cardiovascular disease; Exploration; Early stage; Asymptomatic; Peristalsis; Swallowing; Cerebral disorder; Esophagus; Vascular disease; Motility disorder; Dysfunction; Central nervous system disease; Digestive diseases; Cerebrovascular disease
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1026690030900

Evaluation of swallowing following stroke has previously concentrated on the oropharyngeal phase. We have studied whether there is esophageal dysmotility during the early phase following stroke in patients with no clinical evidence of oropharyngeal dysfunction. Twenty-five patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke, and CT scan confirmation, without swallowing abnormalities at bedside evaluation were studied. Each subject had two esophageal manometric studies, one between days 3-5 after the stroke and the second during the third week after the stroke. Mean percentage (+/-SE) of completed peristaltic events increased from 57.8 +/- 5.9 (days 3-5) to 77.3 +/- 3.9 (week 3) (P = 0.005). Mean propagation of peristalsis (+/-SE) between 10 and 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter increased from 2.9 +/- 0.2 cm/sec (days 3-5) to 3.7 +/- 0.3 cm/sec (week 3) (P = 0.003). We have demonstrated subclinical peristaltic dysfunction in the smooth muscle segment of the esophagus in stroke patients with relatively preserved oropharyngeal function.