Gastric myoelectrical activity and intracranial hypertension

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate altered patterns of gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with high intracranial pressure due to severe craniocerebral injury producing intracranial hematomas, or to neoplastic processes in the central nervous system.

Material/methods: The study population consisted of 50 patients admitted to the Department of Neurotraumatology, Jagiellonian University College of Medicine. The controls were 16 healthy volunteers matched for gender and age. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded with standard cutaneous electrodes using the Synectics (Sweden) system of data storage and analysis.

Results: The most significant changes in gastric myoelectrical activity were observed in patients after severe head injury with increased intracranial pressure (Glasgow Coma Scale score 4-7). The percentage of bradygastria increased to 46.5 in these patients, and the signal amplitude was also increased. Significant dysrrhythmias occurred in patients with increased intracranial pressure due to brain tumours. The percentage of tachygastria increased to 36.5.

Conclusions: The greatest changes in gastric myoelectrical activity were found in patients with increased ICP and coma (GCS score 4-7) due to head injury. Bradygastria was found in 46.5% of cases.