Dynamics of Level of Randomness of Electrogastrograms Can Be Indicative of Gastric Electrical Uncoupling in Dogs

Abstract

Gastric electrical uncoupling is the lack ofelectrical synchronization in different parts of thestomach. The aim of this study was to investigate theimpact of gastric electrical uncoupling on the level of randomness of canine electrogastrograms(EGG). Electrogastrograms were obtained from 11unconscious acute dogs. Gastric electrical uncouplingwas produced surgically by performing two consecutivecircumferential cuts through the entire thickness of thegastric muscle layer. Three separate 1/2-hreight-channel bipolar EGGs were obtained from each dogin the basal state and after each cut. The signals wereamplified using amplifiers with a flexible frequencyrange, digitized with 10-Hz sampling frequency, and4.27-min portions of the digital EGGs weResubjected toa turning point test for randomness. The number of turning points (NTPs) was determined fromsuccessive time intervals calculated from all EGGchannels. Distributions of NTPs were calculated for eachdog. An average NTPs (ANTP) for each dog in a givenstate (basal, after the first cut, and after thesecond cut) was calculated from the ANTPs of allchannels. In six of 11 dogs the ANTP were greater afterthe first cut. The number rose to nine of 11 dogs after the second cut. In only 45% of the dogs werethe ANTP distributions significantly different (P <0.01) after the first cut (sensitivity 45%). After thesecond cut the sensitivity rose to 64%. In two specific EGG channels NTP distribution wassignificantly different (P < 0.01) in nine of 11 dogs(sensitivity: 82% ) after the second cut. The dynamicsof the level of randomness in EGG can be indicative of severe gastric electrical uncoupling. SomeEGG channel configurations are moResensitive thanoThers in recognizing gastric electricaluncoupling.