New method for long-term monitoring of intragastric pH

Abstract

Aim: Consecutive monitoring of intragastric pH using the Bravo capsule.

Methods: We put threads through a Bravo capsule and then affixed it to the gastric wall by endoscopic hemoclipping in seven subjects. Study data were uploaded to a computer via Datalink every 48 h. In this way, repeated monitoring of intragastric pH was undertaken.

Results: All subjects were able to monitor gastric pH over a 1-wk period, and five for > 2 wk. No complications were encountered during the monitoring. After pH monitoring, we safely retrieved the capsule endoscopically.

Conclusion: Clipping a Bravo capsule onto the gastric wall enabled long-term intragastric pH monitoring. This is a methodological report of pH monitoring over a period of > 2 wk.

Figure 1

Bravo® capsule in the stomach. The Bravo® capsule was placed onto the gastric wall in the greater curvature of the upper corpus. Threads attached to the capsule were fixed by hemoclips.

Figure 2

Intragastric pH graph monitored by the Bravo® pH capsule. The upper graph shows d 3-7 of pH monitoring, and the lower graph shows d 13-16 after placement of the Bravo® capsule in one subject.