Evaluation of a new method for the intragastric titration of gastric juice.

A new method for the intragastric titration of hydrochloric acid with a pH sensitive telemetric antimone electrode connected via a receiver to an electronic trigger, which regulates a pump for the inflow of 1 M KHCO3 solution, was evaluated in 22 achlorhydric patients by a series of intragastric instillations of 0.1 N HCl. In vitro this procedure presented a high precision (r = 0.99). Under in vivo conditions a significant correlationship (r = 0.84, p = 0.001) between the input of hydrochloric acid and bicarbonate in a range from 1.4 to 16.7 mEq/30 min could be established in non-operated subjects. The average coefficient of variation was 34%. In subjects with partial gastrectomy (Billroth II) overtitration of 100% (y = 2.1 x -1.7, r = 0.78, p = 0.001) was recorded, suggesting an increased loss of bicarbonate related to the accelerated gastric evacuation.