Comparison of the effects on cardiopulmonary function of ultrathin transnasal versus normal diameter transoral esophagogastroduodenoscopy in Japan

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is reported to be more pleasant than conventional transoral EGD. In this study, we compared the hemodynamic effects of transnasal and transoral EGD. METHODOLOGY: The subjects were 120 patients with upper gastrointestinal conditions. Transnasal and transoral EGD were performed on 60 subjects each. Oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure were monitored. Subjects were also asked for their condition with each EGD. RESULTS: VAS scores for discomfort at the insertion, and for trouble breathing and nausea during the procedure, were significantly lower for transnasal than for transoral EGD. A significant increase in the heart rate and significant decrease in oxygen saturation were seen only in the transoral group during EGD. The double product (heart rate x systolic blood pressure) was also significantly increased only in the transoral group. No significant changes were seen in the transnasal EGD. CONCLUSIONS: Double product has been reported to correlate with myocardial oxygen consumption. Transnasal EGD is a safe technique, and is not only less stressful to patients, but also has fewer hemodynamic effects than the transoral method.