Effects of dual pulse gastric electrical stimulation on gastric tone and compliance in dogs

BackgroundGastric electrical stimulation (GES) with short pulses improves nausea and vomiting in patients with gastroparesis, whereas GES with long pulses improves gastric motility.AimsTo assess the effects of a novel method of GES using dual pulse (both short and long pulses) on gastric tone, compliance and sympathovagal activity in dogs.Materials and methodsThe study was performed in 7 dogs implanted with a gastric cannula and a pair of gastric serosal electrodes for dual pulse GES. The study was composed of a number of sessions on different days with different stimulation parameters, including variations in the number of short pulses and stimulation amplitude.Results(1) Dual pulse GES of one short pulse and one long pulse with various amplitudes inhibited gastric tone (p < 0.05) but did not alter sympathetic or vagal activity. (2) Dual pulse GES with five short pulses and one long pulse not only inhibited gastric tone, but also reduced sympathetic activity and increased vagal activity (p < 0.05). (3) Dual pulse GES with five short pulses and one long pulse significantly increased gastric compliance.ConclusionsDual pulse GES reduces gastric tone and increases gastric compliance. The variation in the number of short pulse affects the sympathetic and vagal activities, whereas, the increase in stimulation strength enhances its effects on gastric tone.