************ G-PACT Knowledge Base ************ 

An ElectroGastroGram, (E.G.G.) is another experimental study that
sometimes is done in patients with suspected Gastroparesis. It is
similar to an electrocardiogram (EKG) of the heart.  This test is a
recording of the electrical signals that travel through the stomach
muscles and control the muscles' contractions.  An electrogastrogram
is performed by taping several electrodes onto the patient's abdomen
over the stomach area in the same manner as electrodes are placed on
the chest for the EKG. The electrical signals are recorded at rest
and after a meal.  In normal individuals, there is a regular
electrical rhythm just as in the heart and the power (voltage) of
the electrical current increases after the meal.  In most patients
with Gastroparesis, the rhythm is either irregular or there is no
post- meal increase in electrical power.  Although the
electrogastrogram does not measure gastric emptying (a key indicator
for this disease), it is an attractive first test for suspected
Gastroparesis because it is easy to perform.  However, there are
patients with Gastroparesis who have a normal electrogastrogram and
abnormal gastric emptying and vice-versa.

************ Spotlight Patient ************

Our April, 2003 Spotlight Patient is Becky Fletcher.  Becky is 18
years old and lives in Missouri with her parents and two sisters. 
Becky was attending High School and then on January 12th she began
suffering from severe nausea and pain until it became so bad that
she was no longer able to attend school.  In June, 2002 she had a
PICC line inserted and also underwent a CT scan.  Due to the nausea
she was put on Reglan, Domperidone and Urecholine, however was not
able to find any improvement with these medications.  Finally in
September of 2002 she was put on Zelnorm but that only increased her
nausea.  It was then that her doctors decided Becky was a good
candidate for the gastric pacemaker.  On March 3, 2003 , Becky
received her gastric pacemaker.


To read more about Becky, our spotlight patient, please go to www.g-
pact.org where you will find her in the "Spotlight Patient" section
of the G-PACT website. This page also includes a place for people to
nominate a spotlight patient as well as read about previous
spotlight patients and their stories.  

************ Up and Coming ************

Medtronic's conference 

Medtronic is the world's leading medical technology company,
providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease.  They
are holding a workshop on May 17th in Orlando , Florida for all GI
doctors interested in starting to provide Enterra therapy for their
patients.