[Combined pH measurement and multiple impedance variation assessments--validation of a new technique for detection of non-acid reflux in the esophagus].

In 10 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, defective lower esophageal sphincter and normal motility pH and impedance were measured parallel over 24 hours. All patients had a reflux score > 40 with a total of 736 reflux episodes registered by the pH metry of which 724 (sensitivity: 98.9%) were recognized by impedancemetry and with additional 292 reflux phases registered at a stomach pH > 4 by the impedancemetry of which none was recognized by the pH metry as a reflux of pH > 7. With the multiple impedancemetry a reliable recognition of gastroesophageal reflux is possible, independently of the pH and this makes it possible to recognize gastroesophageal reflux also at a non acid milieu of the stomach, e.g. under acid suppression medication or after stomach resection.