Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Twenty-four hour tonometry in patients suspected of chronic gastrointestinal ischemia
Peter B F Mensink1, Robert H Geelkerken, Ad B Huisman
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, s-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. p.mensink@erasmusmc.nl
Background And Aims:
Gastrointestinal tonometry is currently the only clinical diagnostic test that enables identification of symptomatic chronic gastrointestinal ischemia. Gastric exercise tonometry has proven its value for detection of ischemia in this patients group, but has its disadvantages. Earlier studies with postprandial tonometry gave unreliable results. In this study we challenged (again) the use of postprandial tonometry in patients suspected of gastrointestinal ischemia.
Methods:
Patients suspected for chronic gastrointestinal ischemia had standard diagnostic work up, including gastric exercise tonometry and 24-h tonometry using standard meals.
Results:
Thirty-three patients were enrolled in the study. Chronic gastrointestinal ischemia was diagnosed in 17 (52%) patients. The 24-h tonometry correctly predicted the presence of ischemia in 13/17 patients, and absence of ischemia in 15/16 patients.
Conclusions:
The use of 24-h tonometry after meals in patients suspected of gastrointestinal ischemia seems feasible, with promising accuracy for the detection of ischemia.
