Oesophageal transit in patients with autonomic dysfunction. The effect of treatment with fludrocortisone

Oesophageal function was examined by radionuclide transit measurements in 15 patients with severe autonomic deficiency and orthostatic hypothension and 23 healthy volunteers. Seven of the patients were re-examined after treatment for 3 weeks with fludrocortisone acetate (Florinef). Six patients and five control subjects were evaluated before and after i.v. administration of atropine. The mean transit time (MTT) was prolonged (P less than 0.007) and the residual activity increased (P = 0.038) in the patients compared with the control group. Prolonged MTT was associated with oesophageal symptoms. Treatment of orthostatic hypotension with fludrocortisone acetate significantly reduced MTT. Atropine increased MTT and residual activity. The increase in heart rate after atropine was correlated in the patients with MTT before treatment. The results demonstrate the frequent presence of impaired oesophageal function in patients with severe autonomic dysfunction, irrespective of aetiology. The impairment seems to be closely related to parasympathetic insufficiency. The improvement after fludrocortisone may suggest an influence of ion balance on oesophageal function in these patients.