Percutaneous recording of gastric electrical activity (electrogastrography): its technique and analysis

Abstract

In 1922, Alvarez made some electrical recordings from cutaneous electrodes, but the method has not been widely adopted. It has been caused by the technical difficulties in recording, and in extracting consistent information from the recording. Therefore in an effort to improve the ability to routinely obtain a recording of the gastric electrical activity, using cutaneous electrodes (electrogastrography, EGG), we have investigated different electrodes placement and bipolar recording techniques. We studied 10 healthy asymptomatic volunteers. Frequency and power product have been used to help interpret the potential change. We found significant frequency component at approximately 3 cycle/min. Recordings from the upper part of epigastrium were better than those from the lower part of epigastrium. This suggests that these recordings are taken from electrical activity of the stomach. We found the good placement of cutaneous electrodes and good recording techniques.