Acute oxygen desaturation characterizes pulmonary aspiration in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and laryngopharyngeal reflux.

The aim of this study was to characterise pulmonary aspiration of refluxate in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) by continuous pulse oximetry (SpO2) during the supine phase of a scintigraphic reflux study. Variables assessed for significance included age, hiatus hernia, frequency, amplitude of reflux and clearance of reflux from the oesophagus/pharynx. The patients included in this study had established GORD and LPR by clinical history.