24-hour monitoring of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation events by long-term high-resolution impedance manometry in normal volunteers: The "mirror phenomenon".

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and circadian changes in transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) in normal volunteers using 24-hour high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM).

METHODS: Fifteen volunteers underwent HRIM. TLESRs were recorded during the mealtime, 2-hour postprandial, daytime, and supine periods. The catheter was firmly secured to the nose, and subjects went home, ate normal meals, and continued routine daily activities.

KEY RESULTS: Successful recordings were obtained in 11 volunteers. Overall, 1083 TLESRs were documented; the average occurrence was 4.2/h, and the duration was 21.0 ± 5.2 seconds. The majority of the TLESRs occurred during the 2-hour postprandial (42.7%) and daytime (31.5%) periods, while 10.2% and 15.6% occurred during the mealtime and supine periods, respectively. Eight hundred and eighty-six (81.8%) TLESRs were associated with reflux. Overall, 25.5% of TLESRs were preceded by partial secondary peristalsis (PSP), while 74.5% were preceded by nothing. Terminating events included primary peristalsis (PP; 40.3%), PSP (42.8%), full secondary peristalsis (FSP; 8.2%), or nothing (8.7%). Both preceding and terminating events periodically changed throughout the four periods. One hundred and twelve (10.3%) TLESRs with both preceding and terminating events of PSP, presenting as a "mirror phenomenon," were documented. The majority of these TLESRs occurred during the supine (70.5%).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations are common physiological motor events in normal volunteers; these events have certain circadian rhythms, as do the events that precede and terminate TLESR events. A special "mirror phenomenon" is observed when both the preceding and terminating events are PSP.