Background: The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of 2-channel gastric electrical stimulation (GES) with a custom-made implantable pacemaker on delayed gastric emptying and gastric dysrhythmia induced by glucagon in dogs.
Methods: Six dogs were studied in 4 randomized session (saline, glucagon, glucagon with single-channel or 2-channel GES). GES was applied via the first pair of electrodes for single-channel GES or the first and third pairs of electrodes for 2-channel GES. Gastric emptying was assessed for 90 minutes and gastric slow waves were recorded at the same time.
Results: Both single-channel and 2-channel GES improved gastric dysrhythmia (P < .05 vs glucagon session). Two-channel GES but not single-channel GES improved glucagon-induced delayed gastric emptying at 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, 75 minutes, and 90 minutes.
Conclusion: Two-channel GES with a novel implantable pacemaker is more efficient and effective than single-channel GES in improving delayed gastric emptying induced by glucagon. This implantable multipoint pacemaker may provide a new option for treatment of gastric motility disorders.