18 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Swallowing difficulties are extremely common and result in substantial morbidity, reduction in the quality of life, and mortality related to malnutrition and complications from regurgitation and aspiration. Unfortunately, our understanding regarding the pathophysiology of dysphagia and GERD has been hampered by focusing predominantly on circular muscle activity and ignoring the essential biomechanical properties of the esophageal wall that promote normal emptying. Our initial work explored the relationship between intrabolus pressure (IBP) and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) compliance as a metric for outflow resistance. This work highlighted the direct relationship between IBP and EGJ opening and was the foundation for the development of the classification scheme utilized around the world to diagnose esophageal motor disorders: "the Chicago Classification" (CC). Despite this improved understanding focused on bolus transit dynamics, there are still significant gaps in our scientific understanding centered on the lack of a true correlate for symptoms, reliable predictive models and effective treatments for Functional dysphagia, IEM and EGJOO. Given these limitations, we have developed novel approaches that combine assessments of primary and secondary peristalsis (a NeuroMyogenic Model of esophageal function). These will leverage our recent findings supporting the importance of the esophageal response to distension in bolus clearance, noting that this response of the esophageal wall to bolus retention or reflux is one of the most essential functions of the esophagus in preventing complications of aspiration, or reflux injury. We will also include an assessment of esophageal geometry and wall biomechanics (elasticity/dilatation) as these carry essential interactions with esophageal function that are overlooked in the current diagnostic paradigms. In order to test our hypothesis that wall mechanics are a major determinant of esophageal diseases, we had to develop new approaches and new technology to directly measure mechanical wall state, descending inhibition and LES opening. Using impedance techniques combined with manometry, we are now capable of assessing IBP and diameter changes across a space-time continuum (4D HRM). We also developed physics-based hybrid diagnostics that include a FLIP technique to assess esophageal work and power during volumetric distention (FLIP-MECH) and a fluoroscopy approach that simultaneously assesses esophageal diameter-pressure relationships (Fluoro-MECH). We also developed a new approach, Interactive FLIP Panometry, which facilitates an assessment of descending inhibition and the mechanism behind impaired LES opening. These tools will allow us to expand our models to combine an assessment of neuromyogenic function simultaneously with geometry. Our overarching goal will be to study well-defined patient populations (Functional Dysphagia, IEM/GERD, EGJOO and Achalasia) before and after targeted interventions to test the NeuroMyogenic and MechanoGeometric Model. This work will build upon the previous success of the CC and help advance the evolution of the CC by defining new, relevant biomechanical physiomarkers of disease activity that can identify new targets for therapeutic intervention and facilitate prediction of clinical outcomes.
Patients that are either scheduled to undergo or have undergone an achalasia procedure at the Mayo Clinic Rochester are asked to participate. The purpose of this study is to gather information and determine if one of these procedures is superior to the other.
The primary aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that Heller myotomy and Toupet fundoplication result in a lower rate of reflux symptoms and positive 24-hour pH testing when compared to Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication.
To compare the efficacy of peroral endoscopic myotomy and Botulinum toxin injection in spastic esophageal disorders.
The goal of this pragmatic, registry-based, randomized clinical trial is to find out if using botulinum toxin (Botox) to help drain the stomach during an esophagectomy works as well as a pyloromyotomy in patients undergoing elective esophagectomy for benign or malignant esophageal disease. Both methods are intended to prevent problems with food emptying too slowly from the stomach (delayed gastric emptying), which can cause discomfort after surgery. The main question it aims to answer is: Is intrapyloric Botox injection as a drainage procedure during esophagectomy non-inferior in preventing symptoms of delayed gastric emptying at 6 months postoperatively compared to pyloromyotomy? Researchers will compare intrapyloric Botox injection to pyloromyotomy to see if Botox is non-inferior to pyloromyotomy in easing symptoms of delayed gastric emptying. Participants will: Be randomized to one of two treatment groups-either intrapyloric Botox injection or pyloromyotomy-during their esophagectomy. Complete surveys assessing digestive symptoms at standard postoperative follow-up intervals (3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively). Undergo a standard gastric emptying study at 6 months after surgery.
The purpose of this study is to identify markers in the blood and tissue that could indicate risk factors for the development and progression of esophagus cancer. This research aims to collect medical history, blood, and tissue samples from patients who present with an esophageal disorder. Identifying genetic and behavioral risk factors involved in the development of esophageal cancer might allow for early detection and prevention. Survival and an opportunity for a cure with esophageal cancer will depend greatly on the stage of diagnosis. Tumors can develop changes in their genetic (hereditary) make-up, and these changes can sometimes be seen in normal tissues before the development of cancer. These genetic (hereditary) changes can serve as tumor markers and can be detected using methods that study changes in genetic material like DNA and RNA. The analysis of proteins can provide additional information. By identifying changes in these molecules that are different or altered in cancer, the investigators can use methods and tests for the detection of these changes.
This research is being done to see if a study drug called amyl nitrite can be helpful with diagnosing different disorders affecting the lower esophageal sphincter in patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing foods) undergoing high resolution esophageal manometry (HRM). Dysphagia may be one of the symptoms of a condition known as idiopathic achalasia. Achalasia is a disorder of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. This affects the ability of the esophagus to move food toward the stomach. Pseudoachalasia is a secondary form of achalasia, which has very similar symptoms but is caused by different reasons. Because the treatments for achalasia and pseudoachalasia are different, it is important to correctly diagnose each condition. At this time, there is no way to distinguish the two with the current tests used at Johns Hopkins. Amyl nitrite relaxes vascular smooth muscle and has been studied previously as a potential means to separate achalasia from pseudoachalasia. Amyl nitrite is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cardiac angina. It is not approved for use in motility testing and its use in this study is considered investigational. Investigators hope that the results from the proposed study could have significant clinical implications for patient management by helping doctors distinguish between achalasia and pseudoachalasia and allow them to choose appropriate treatment. Patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing foods) undergoing routinely scheduled high resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) may join this study.
This is a study of the safety and efficacy of a new surgical procedure using endoscopic instruments and a tunneling technique to reach the LES for dissection. We hypothesize that this technique provides an incisionless, less invasive option with similar functional outcome compared to standard Heller myotomy.
Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder. Treatment of achalasia is aimed toward palliation of symptoms. These include botox injections to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), pneumatic dilation, surgical myotomy, and per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). Botox injections are frequently used for patients that have significant comorbidities. The primary aim of this study is to assess symptomatic response of patient with achalasia to esophageal dilation and botox injection to the LES compared to standard therapy of only botox injection.
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.
The purpose of this study is to show that the Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) procedure is an effective treatment for people with achalasia.
The investigators wish to monitor the adoption of a new, incisionless approach to performing a Heller myotomy for the surgical treatment of achalasia. The method, the Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM), will provide less-invasive treatment for esophageal achalasia, ideally providing similar if not better outcomes (safety and efficacy) as the Heller myotomy. The investigators hope to enroll 10 patients with a clinical diagnosis of achalasia who meet inclusion criteria. The POEM procedure has been done in many hospitals without any research associated with it. Dr. Ginsberg, Dr. Chandrasekhara and Dr. Kochman will perform the procedures after being trained. Dr. Ginsberg has personally witnessed the performance of 10 POEM procedures and has performed in a swine model. The PI is credentialed to initiate POEM at HUP with the first case to be proctored by an experienced operator. The PI will then proctor the other adopters. The investigators would like to evaluate the safety of it and the effectiveness of it. The investigators will use their symptom scores and radiology tests pre- and post-POEM to evaluate effectiveness.
High Resolution Manometry is a new technology that utilizes 36 solid state sensors on a thin catheter spaced at 1-cm intervals. One can more effectively measure the pressure of the esophagus. It includes a sophisticated software to display the pressures data as color topography plot using time, length of the esophagus and pressure within the entire esophagus. It is unclear if this technology improvement actually correlates with patient's symptoms.
The primary objective of this study is to compare the accuracy of esophageal and anorectal manometric pressure measurements using a newly developed air filled balloon catheter with present standard solid state esophageal and anorectal catheters, respectively.
This is prospective data recording study. All patients will receive standard medical care and no experimental interventions will be performed.
Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is performed for various esophageal muscular disorders, including achalasia and other spastic esophageal conditions. It is performed with the standard endoscope and involves dissecting the esophageal muscle sphincter. The procedure is typically completed using standard monopolar energy, which are effective, but can be associated with post-procedural pain. More importantly, frequent exchange of various instruments are required in order to cut the right layers and to stop bleeding. The Speedboat-RSD is FDA approved for dissection of various tissue within the gastrointestinal tract tract but only a few studies have evaluated its use in POEM. Currently, the investigators have been performing EGD with POEM procedures using Speedboat-RSD as a standard of care procedure. The investigators would like to compare the performance of the standard monopolar ERBE knife to the bipolar Speedboat-RSD knife in POEM. The investigators hypothesize the bipolar knife will allow for efficient completion of the POEM procedure with less post procedural pain.
POEM (per oral endoscopic myotomy) is effective for the treatment of swallowing disorders but can induce acid reflux. If acid reflux remains untreated in this situation, it can lead to significant problems. Thus, minimizing abnormal acid exposure after POEM is very important. Typically, this is done with acid suppression medications such as Prilosec or Nexium. However, long term acid suppression medication has been linked to possible long-term complications. Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) has been approved for the treatment of reflux, but its use in reflux after POEM has not been investigated in detail. We hypothesize TIF will be able to decrease the amount of acid reflux in to the esophagus, thereby allowing patients to remain off of acid suppression medications. Once enrolled into the study, you will undergo the POEM procedure. 3 months after the procedure we will assess for abnormal reflux via questionnaires and diagnostic testing as part of the standard management post POEM. If there is evidence of abnormal reflux, the TIF procedure will be performed. 3 months after the TIF, you will have similar testing again to document resolution in abnormal acid reflux.You will be followed for 12 months as part of the study. If at the 3 month mark, there is no evidence of abnormal reflux, you will neither be placed on PPI nor undergo TIF and will be followed for 12 months to assess for abnormal reflux
Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder where the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax in response to swallowing with no well understood underlying cause. Surgical myotomy represents an appropriate therapeutic option. The purpose of this study is to evaluate flexible endoscopic myotomy, a novel therapeutic approach to overcome the need for invasive surgery.