Intraluminal pH and oesophageal motility in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux

The effect of intraluminal pH on motor activity of the lower oesophageal body was studied in patients with pathological gastro-oesophageal reflux. Liquid boluses with a pH range of 6.98-1.1, infused in the distal oesophagus of 21 patients during manometric recording of motor activity, elicited either secondary peristalsis or simultaneous contractions. Acid pH did not affect the threshold of distension required to elicit secondary peristalsis. Oesophageal responses to volumes of instillate did not differ in patients with normal and abnormal acid clearing test, nor in patients with a negative and positive acid perfusion test.