The future of intestinal pacing

Abstract

Gastrointestinal pacing holds promise as a therapy for gastrointestinal motor disorders. In dogs, pacing the stomach forward has abolished gastric dysrhythmias and speeded slow gastric emptying, whereas backward pacing has slowed rapid gastric emptying. Pacing the canine small intestine has slowed rapid transit and improved absorption in conditions such as the short bowel syndrome, dumping, and diarrhea. Pacing the human stomach and small bowel also has been achieved. Therapeutic trials in disease states in humans are just beginning.