Effect of intraperitoneal fluid volume changes on esophageal pressures: studies in patients on continuous ambulatory...

Esophageal manometric studies were performed in 11 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with the dialysis fluid in the peritoneal cavity, after emptying and again after reinfusion. No systematic changes were found in intragastric or lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressures at any time. No differences in mean distal esophageal amplitude (DEA), duration, or velocity of peristalsis were noted. Although upper gastrointestinal problems are common in CAPD patients and were reported by eight of 11 patients, this study suggests that these symptoms cannot be explained by changes in gastric and esophageal pressures.