Increased mechanoreceptor sensitivity and hyperactive peristaltic responses to balloon distension in patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP)

Background: Increased sensitivity of esophageal mechanoreceptors was supposed to develop in patients with NCCP. Aims: The aim of this study was to measure the perception threshold of first sensation, discomfort and pain in 14 NCCP patients. Organic heart diseases were excluded by cardiologists. All NCCP patients underwent the following examinations: esophageal manometry, 24h pH-metry, simultaneous esophageal barostat+manometry. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the findings of 24h pH-metry: reflux group (N=7), non-reflux hypersensitive group (N=7). Semirandom ascending phasic esophageal distensi…