Electrogastrographic characteristics of interdigestive migrating complex in humans.

Interdigestive myoelectric activity and mechanical activity were studied simultaneously by means of cutaneous electrodes (electrogastrography) and intraluminal pressure recording, respectively, in 10 healthy male volunteers. The aims of the present study were 1) to describe the characteristics of the electrogastrogram during the different phases of the interdigestive migrating complex (IMC) in healthy subjects and 2) to determine to what extent these characteristics can be used to identify the different phases of the IMC. The electrogastrograms were analyzed visually and by running-spectrum analysis. It was concluded that in humans the gastric frequency present in the electrogastrogram appears to be less stable during motor activity than during motor quiescence, in particular during phase III, but far more stable than its canine counterpart. A small but consistent drop in gastric frequency was observed in the changeover from motor quiescence to phase II motor activity. The power of the gastric frequency increased with increasing motor activity, except during phase III. A characteristic frequency and power behavior during phase III could only be recognized in a minority of the IMCs. In general, electrogastrography cannot, given the present state of the art, be used to precisely identify the different phases of the IMC.