Esophageal wall compliance/stiffness during peristalsis in patients with functional dysphagia and high-amplitude esophageal contractions

Abstract

We studied healthy asymptomatic subject, patients with functional dysphagia (FD), and patients with high-amplitude esophageal contractions (HAEC). Our data show that in patients with HAEC and functional dysphagia, luminal distension is smaller (low luminal CSA at peak distension), intraluminal pressure is higher, and liquid bolus travels faster through the esophagus as compared with normal subjects. We conclude that patients with functional dysphagia and HAEC have a stiffer distal esophageal wall during bolus transport related to primary peristalsis.