Comprehensive Esophageal Diagnostics Study

Emory University

Status and phase: Enrolling; Phase 4

Conditions: Achalasia

Treatments: Procedure: Esophageal muscle biopsy; Drug: Atropine challenge

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT04641702

1K23DK131317-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

STUDY00001665

2025P013181 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The prospective clinical trial will study muscle fibrosis in relation to lower esophageal sphincter (LES) measurements on Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (FLIP) Topography (the novel technology that utilizes impedance planimetry) after pharmacologic challenge. A better understanding of achalasia will allow intervention at an earlier stage.

Full description

Achalasia is a disease characterized by inadequate opening of the lower esophageal sphincter. Achalasia is presumed to be due to neuronal dysfunction (active), however there are other variables such as muscle layer fibrosis (passive) that may contribute, particularly in milder or earlier achalasia variants. A new technology, impedance planimetry, may be able to measure active vs passive features of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

The prospective clinical trial will study muscle fibrosis in relation to lower esophageal sphincter (LES) measurements on Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (FLIP) Topography (the novel technology that utilizes impedance planimetry) after pharmacologic challenge. A better understanding of achalasia will allow intervention at an earlier stage.

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Male or female patients, age 18 and above.
2. Evaluated by Emory Digestive Diseases Clinic, Emory Motility Lab, the Emory Endoscopy Unit, or Emory Surgery Department starting October 1, 2020.
3. Has a diagnosis of achalasia or an esophageal motility disorder with confirmed evaluation by one of the following modalities: functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) or high-resolution esophageal manometry (for Aim 1)
4. Undergoing a diagnostic Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (FLIP) study at Emory University Hospital with anesthesia assistance (for Aim 1)
5. Undergoing Heller myotomy or per oral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of their esophageal motility disorder (for Aim 2)

Exclusion criteria

1. Patients younger than 18 years old
2. Pregnant women
3. Prisoners
4. Non-English speaking - the rationale is that the symptom characterization and outcome data are measured on detailed and fairly lengthy (5-7 pages) questionnaires written in English with some medical terms. These are standardized questionnaires with no short forms available.
5. Cognitively impaired adults unable to provide informed consent
6. Cardiac disease in the form of - arrhythmia requiring ICD or pacemaker, baseline bradycardia with HR <60 or tachycardia with HR > 90, congestive heart failure with ejection fraction <35%, history of myocardial infarction, baseline MAP <65 or systolic BP >140, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, urinary retention requiring the use of foley catheterization (including intermittent use), narrow-angle glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, GFR <60 [exclusions for Aim 1 only]

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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80 participants in 1 patient group

Pharmacologic challenge

Experimental group

Description:

Measurement of esophageal response to atropine using functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP)

Treatment:

Drug: Atropine challenge

Procedure: Esophageal muscle biopsy