Ambulatory intraesophageal 24-hour pH-monitoring.

Abstract

Changes in pH in the distal esophagus to detect reflux is the basis for ambulatory intraesophageal 24-hour pH-monitoring. Patients with symptoms that do not respond to therapy, patients with atypical symptoms and patients planned for antireflux surgery should undergo pH-monitoring. Pathologic reflux is detected by calculating acid exposure time. Information on the temporal relationship between reflux episodes and symptoms, and of the temporal pattern will also be obtained. The monitoring should be performed ambulatory during 24 hours. The patient should be as unrestricted as possible, except for acit food and beverages. Many types of equipment are available. Solid state memories are preferred, glass or antimony electrodes may be used and the data analysis should be performed on an ordinary personal computer.