An interventional study of ARAT technique in Achalasia and Gastroesophageal Reflux, sponsored by Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, Mexico. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Mexico. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-04-25.
Sponsored by Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, Mexico · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of achalasia is associated with a higher incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease compared with Heller's myotomy. Remodeling of the esophagogastric junction with hybrid argon plasma could decrease the passage of gastric or gastroduodenal content into the esophagus.
Achalasia is the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax in the context of dysfunction of esophageal peristalsis. Peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of achalasia has an efficacy above 90%, being comparable with Heller's myotomy. The treatment of achalasia by peroral endoscopic myotomy is associated with a higher incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, compared with alternative therapies such as Heller's myotomy or pneumatic dilatation. Hybrid argon plasma at the level of the esophagogastric junction could generate remodeling of this region generating a partial stenosis and thereby decrease the passage of gastric or gastroduodenal content into the esophagus.
A clinical trial will be carried out, including all patients with achalasia, treated by peroral myotomy older than 18 years old, with abnormal acid exposure in the pHmetry test 3 months or more after treatment, who accept the management of ablation with hybrid argon plasma. To whom the ablation will be performed with Hybrid Argon Plasma and its effectiveness will be evaluated by clinical questionnaires, endoscopy and pHmetry measurement at the beginning, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after the procedure.
Demographic and clinical data will be recorded in a data collection sheet, detailing the reflux questionnaire(GERDQ), Eckardt score, endoscopic findings of esophagitis according to Los Angeles classification and abnormal acid exposure in each evaluation. The data will be condensed into a database for subsequent statistical analysis and publication of results.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants with abnormal acid exposure after peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia, will be treated by ablation of the gastroesophageal junction with hybrid argon plasma coagulation
Procedure: ARAT technique
After an initial endoscopic evaluation, ARAT technique will be performed with marking, submucosal elevation at esophagogastric junction and then ablation with 100-120w of 270-300 degrees at esophagogastric junction, once the application of the therapy is performed mucosal lavage and immersion technique will be made to corroborate integrity and continuity of the gastrointestinal tract and rule out immediate complications.
A change in erosive esophagitis grade assessed by upper endoscopy after ARAT
Upper endoscopy is going to be used to measure the erosive esophagitis grade using the Los Angeles Esophagitis scale(grade A=mild, Grade B=moderate, Grade C=moderate high and Grade D=severe) after after ARAT
Time frame: measures will be performed at 3,6 and 12 months after ARAT
A change in esophageal acid exposure assessed by pHmetry study after ARAT
A 24-hours pHmetry study is going to be used to measure esophageal acid exposure in esophagus after ARAT. DeMeester Score and the percentage of esophagic acid exposure will be used to assess pathologic reflux (\>14.73 and \> 6%, respectively)
Time frame: measures will be performed at 3,6 and 12 months after ARAT
A change in clinical symptoms of reflux disease assessed with a gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire after ARAT
The clinical evaluation of reflux disease is going to be assessed by the use of a clinical gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GERD-Q) after ARAT. Reflux disease was considered positive when \>4 points is observed
Time frame: measures will be performed at 3,6 and 12 months after ARAT
Plan to share: No
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Coordinación de Investigación en Salud, Mexico