Gastric electrical stimulation in intractable symptomatic gastroparesis.

Background: The treatment of gastroparesis remains unsatisfactory despite prokinetic and anti-emetic drugs. Gastric electrical stimulation has been proposed as a therapeutic option. We have assessed the effect of gastric electrical stimulation on symptoms, medical treatment, body weight and gastric emptying in patients with intractable symptomatic gastroparesis in a non-placebo-controlled study.

Long-term efficacy of Botulinum toxin in classical achalasia: a prospective study.

Objective: We sought to examine the long-term efficacy of intrasphincteric Botulinum toxin A injection in a prospective cohort study of 30 patients with achalasia.

Methods: Thirty patients with classical achalasia were treated with intrasphincteric Botulinum toxin A injection. Follow-up consisted of clinical assessment, symptom scoring, and postinjection manometry.

Abnormal response to cholinergic stimulation in the circular muscle layer of the human colon in diverticular disease.

Background: Diverticular disease is characterized by the occurrence of small herniations of the colonic mucosa, through the external muscle coats of the colon. The muscle wall is thickened, high intraluminal pressures can be recorded, and often constipation develops. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether an abnormality in the electric myogenic control activity could be found to help explain the etiology and symptoms of the disease.

Outcome of patients discharged from a coronary care unit with a diagnosis of "chest pain not yet diagnosed".

Objective: To determine the outcome and 3-year mortality rate among patients discharged from a coronary care unit (CCU) with a diagnosis of "chest pain not yet diagnosed."

Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: CCU in a university teaching hospital.