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42 active trials for Gastroparesis

Prospective Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Submucosal Endoscopy

To test the idea that submucosal endoscopy is effective and safe for endoscopic myotomy, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and access for tissue acquisition and resection. Submucosal endoscopy is a recent innovative addition to gastrointestinal endoscopy. This involves endoscopic maneuvers in the gut wall, by dissection of the submucosal layer of GI tract, thereby allowing endoscopic myotomy (incision of the muscle), endoscopic access for tissue acquisition and therapy, and resection of precancerous and cancerous gastrointestinal tissue. This approach has been a dramatic game-changer for minimally invasive management of various gastrointestinal conditions such as Zenker's diverticulum, Achalasia, Spastic Esophageal Disorders, Gastroparesis, esophageal obstruction, Hirschsprung's Disease, and Gastrointestinal neoplasia. The aim of the proposed study is to prospectively assess technical success, clinical success, and adverse events after submucosal endoscopy. Technical success will be defined as ability to successfully complete the submucosal endoscopic procedure. Clinical success will be defined as symptom relief and objective evaluation which will be assessed with radiologic imaging, repeat endoscopy, gastrointestinal motility studies, and pathology results routinely performed post-procedure for clinical care, as indicated. Adverse events will be recorded per published ASGE criteria. A database/ registry of patients undergoing submucosal endoscopic procedures will be created to demonstrate this.

Start: June 2018
Vagal Nerve Stimulation for Gastroparesis

This study is investigating a new form of treatment for a digestive disorder called gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is thought to be caused by a mix of inflammation and neural dysfunction. The vagal nerve is a large nerve originating from the brain that regulates digestive function. Patients with gastroparesis have what is a called a low vagal tone which results in gastrointestinal motility problems and inflammation; therefore, investigators hypothesize that increasing vagal tone through a hand-held vagal nerve simulator will reduce inflammation and gastrointestinal motility problems in gastroparesis patients. Investigators will evaluate this hypothesis through the use of upper endoscopy testing, breath testing, and blood, stool, urine, heart rate variability, and saliva testing before and after 4 weeks of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) treatment. There are 6 research visits Visit 1 and visit 2 may take up to 8 weeks (screening/baseline) Visit 3 and visit 4 will take 4 weeks (VNS treatment) visit 5 and 6 will take approximately 4 weeks (VNS followup/washout) Consequently, it is possible that if a patient were to be at the farthest ends of visit windows, they could potentially be in the study for approx 16 weeks. Visit 1 and 2 may be less than 8 weeks which would shorten the patient's overall involvement in the study. The treatment phase of the study will always be 4 weeks with an additional 4 week washout phase. Use of the VNS device takes 4 weeks. Endoscopy and blood work are taken before and after the treatment period.

Start: March 2017
Protease Activated Receptor-2 and Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Critical Illness

Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction affects up to 50% of medical and surgical critically ill children. GI dysfunction, specifically gastric dysmotility and loss of epithelial barrier integrity, is associated with significant morbidity in critical illness. The mechanisms underlying GI dysfunction in critical illness are not well understood. GI dysfunction in surgery and critical illness has been associated with inflammation. There is evidence to suggest the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a link between inflammation and GI dysfunction. PAR2 is a G-coupled receptor present throughout the GI tract. PAR2 mediates GI motility and epithelial barrier integrity. PAR2 is activated by PAR2 agonists, specifically GI serine proteases and zonulin, released under conditions of inflammation. In this study the investigators will examine the relationship between inflammation and PAR2 activation by PAR2 agonists and subsequent GI dysfunction in pediatric critically ill surgical patients. The overall hypothesis of this study is that PAR2 activation by PAR2 agonists, GI serine proteases and zonulin, released due to inflammation results in gastric dysmotility and loss of epithelial barrier integrity. In this study, the investigators will examine whether PAR2 agonist expression is increased and correlates with GI dysfunction in critically ill surgical pediatric patients. This proposal fills a knowledge gap in the understanding of mechanisms for GI dysfunction in critical illness, and will be applicable to all surgical and medical critically ill children.

Start: August 2017