Inhibitory effect of disodium edetate on gastric secretion

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Gastroenterology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Aspiration pneumonia is a significant risk in anesthesia.
• Gastric secretion volume and acidity are key factors in aspiration risk.
• Disodium edetate (disodic EDTA) is being investigated for potential benefits in anesthesia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of disodic EDTA on gastric secretion in patients undergoing anesthesia.
• To assess the potential of disodic EDTA in reducing aspiration pneumonia risk.

Main Methods:

• Disodic EDTA (3 g) administered intravenously over 30 minutes to 25 patients.
• Gastric secretion volume and pH measured in patients with and without peptic ulcers.
• Gastric pH directly measured via fiberscopy in peptic ulcer patients.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in gastric secretion volume and acidity observed in peptic ulcer patients.
• Gastric pH increased significantly (from 2.24 to 4.10) in non-ulcer patients 1 hour post-EDTA.
• Gastric pH also rose significantly (from 1.84 to 4.62) in peptic ulcer patients.
• No significant changes in total or ionized calcium.
• No clinical side-effects observed.

Conclusions:

• Disodic EDTA effectively inhibits gastric secretion and increases gastric pH.
• The observed effects suggest disodic EDTA warrants further investigation for aspiration pneumonia prophylaxis.
• Disodic EDTA shows promise as an adjunct in anesthesia to mitigate aspiration risks.