Electrogastrography can recognize gastric electrical uncoupling in dogs.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Electrical uncoupling is the lack of electrical synchronization in different parts of the stomach. The ability of electrogastrography (EGG) to recognize gastric electrical uncoupling has not been adequately studied. The aim of this study was to determine the impact on EGG of surgically introduced gastric uncoupling in anesthesized dogs.

METHODS

Six pairs of bipolar electrodes were inserted into the antral gastric wall of 16 anesthetized dogs at laparotomy. Eight-channel bipolar cutaneous EGGs were simultaneously recorded. Three separate half-hour recordings were made from each dog in the basal state and after each of two circumferential cuts of all gastric muscle. The stomach was divided into three equally sized areas, each with an electrode pair in its anterior and posterior walls. Gastric electrical activity was assessed visually. EGG was digitized and processed by computer.

RESULTS

Criteria for EGG normality were defined from 9 dogs with normal gastric electrical activity. After the first antral cut, internal recordings from the area below the division were at a lower frequency and often irregular. The second cut produced three different frequencies. Suggested criteria for normality allowed correct recognition of 93% of all severely abnormal records. Records with mild gastric electrical abnormalities were recognized with a sensitivity of 74%.

CONCLUSIONS

EGG can recognize severe electrical uncoupling.