Feasibility of gastric electrical stimulation by percutaneous endoscopic transgastric electrodes

Gastric electrical stimulation has been used for the treatment of drug refractory GI motility disorders and for the treatment of obesity. Both these indications have involved surgical placement of gastric electrodes, which adds to the complexity and cost of the procedure. Endoscopic placement is therefore an attractive alternative approach for this therapy.

Our purpose was to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic electrodes for gastric electrical stimulation.

Experimental animal study in hound dogs.

Percutaneous endoscopic transgastric electrode (PETE) placement was carried out by using a pair of gastric pacing wires attached to a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. In addition, 4 pairs of gastric serosal electrodes were implanted surgically for comparison. The efficacy of the percutaneous endoscopic electrodes was defined by their ability to entrain gastric slow waves and the induction of dysrhythmia.

(1) The PETE recorded gastric slow waves comparable to the serosal electrodes. (2) Gastric electrical stimulation with long pulses delivered by the PETE, at a frequency of 10% higher than the intrinsic gastric slow wave frequency, entrained gastric slow waves. (3) Gastric electrical stimulation delivered by the PETE, at a tachygastric frequency, induced gastric dysrhythmia.

This was an animal study; however, its results are expected to be reproducible in humans, with PETE kept in place for even a longer duration than 6 to 8 weeks.

PETE placement is both feasible and safe. PETEs are effective, having a potential for use in treatment of both gastroparesis and obesity.