Effect of cisapride on secondary peristalsis in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Improvement of esophageal acid clearance appears to be an important effect of cisapride in the treatment of reflux disease. The mechanism underlying this effect is not clear. Esophageal peristalsis is a major component of the acid clearance process. In normal subjects secondary peristalsis is an important mechanism of esophageal acid clearance during sleep, and this response appears to be impaired in patients with reflux esophagitis. The effects of cisapride on secondary peristalsis are not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cisapride on the triggering and characteristics of secondary peristalsis in patients with reflux esophagitis.

In 17 patients with reflux esophagitis and impaired secondary peristalsis cisapride, 10 mg q.i.d., or placebo were administered in a randomized double blind, crossover design for 4 days separated by a 4-7 day washout period. On the fourth day of treatment, primary peristalsis and secondary peristalsis in response to 10- and 20-ml air boluses were assessed.

Secondary peristaltic success and amplitude were greater with the 20-ml bolus than with the 10-ml bolus. However, cisapride had no effect on either secondary peristaltic success or amplitude. Cisapride also had no effect on primary peristalsis or basal LES pressure.

The improvement in esophageal acid clearance by cisapride is not explainable by improvement in secondary peristalsis.