Delayed gastric emptying of both the liquid and solid components of a meal in chronic liver disease

J. S. Galati, K. P. Holdeman, G. V. Dalrymple, K. A. Harrison, Eamonn Martin Quigley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate gastric emptying in patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension. Methods: We measured gastric emptying of both the liquid and solid components of a meal in 10 consecutive patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension, but free of ascites, and 14 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. In the patients with liver disease, relationships between emptying and liver function were examined. To measure gastric emptying, subjects consumed a test meal that consisted of scrambled eggs labeled with 99mTc-sulfur colloid and 4 oz of water labeled with 111In-diethylene triamine pentacetic acid (DTPA). Results: Patients with liver disease and portal hypertension demonstrated delayed emptying of both the liquid (t 1/2 , min, mean ± SE, patients vs. Controls: 69.4 ± 19.4 vs. 31.4 ± 1.8, p < 0.01) and solid (postlag phase solid emptying: 141 ± 32.9 vs. 69.8 ± 4.6, p < 0.006) components of the meal. We could not identify any correlation between gastric emptying and tests of liver function. Conclusions: Gastric emptying is delayed in patients with liver disease and portal hypertension; this abnormal gastric motor function may contribute to the pathophysiology of foregut complaints in this patient population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)708-711
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume89
Issue number5
StatePublished - Jan 1 1994

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

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