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Technical aspects of intraluminal pH-metry in man: current status and recommendations.

1987; BMJ; Volume: 28; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/gut.28.9.1177

1468-3288

C. Emde, A. Garner, A. L. Blum,

Muscle metabolism and nutrition

Technical aspects of intraluminal pH-metry in man: current status and recommendationsIn April 1986 a discussion meeting entitled 'Technical aspects of intraluminal pH-metry using pH-electrodes in man' was held in Zurich, Switzerland.The meeting brought together specialists in theoretical aspects of pH-recording, design and manufacture of equipment, and clinical application of this technique.The aim was to define the actual level of knowledge of pH monitoring in the upper gastrointestinal tract and to provide recommendations for its practical use.In view of the increasing use of intraluminal pH-metry it was considered timely to hold a discussion with the focus primarily on equipment and experimental design because under- standing these factors is essential for application of pH-metry to research and routine clinical investigation.The meeting was organised in a format designed to maximise discussion and arrive at a consensus view.Before the meeting, participants submitted up to three concise statements on assigned topics, which were then precirculated to all 41 delegates.Fifty nine topics ranging from 'Interference of external factors with pH-measurements -temperature' to 'Specific problems of duodenal pH-metry -normal values' were addressed.There were no formal presentations and the entire meeting was devoted to discussion leading to modification, addition or replacement of these statements.Finally, delegates voted (agree, disagree, no opinion) on all statements and on the overall importance of a particular topic.These statements form the basis of this text with the voting being used to define the balance and emphasis of the article.Thus, the purpose of this article is to reflect the conclusions of the meeting and to incorporate a series of precise and unambiguous recommendations.As such certain of the statements may appear more dogmatic than in a conventional review article. Equipment pH-ELECTRODEIntraluminal pH can be measured by either a glass, plastic or ISFET (ion sensitive field effect transistor) combination electrode (containing both sensing and reference elements) or a unipolar (sensing electrode alone) monocrystalline antimony electrode connected to a pH-meter via cable.Combination glass telemetry capsules are also available which avoid potential problems associated with the cable but are more susceptible to errors caused by electromagnetic fields.Combination glass electrodes predominate'3 although monocrystalline antimony electrodes are being used increasingly for oesophageal pH-metry.4Currently, combination glass 1177