UPMC Recruiting for Heartburn Trial
UPMC Heart, Lung and Esophageal Surgery Institute participates in GERD trial; featured in June 10
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette > Read more
PITTSBURGH, June 10 – The UPMC Heart, Lung and Esophageal Surgery Institute (HLESI) currently is enrolling participants for a clinical trial to evaluate an implantable device to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
GERD can produce a variety of symptoms but most commonly shows itself as severe, chronic heartburn. That happens when acid rises from the stomach into the esophagus through a weak lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, causing inflammation and a burning sensation in the chest.
The trial, known as the “LINX Reflux Management System Clinical Study,” involves laparoscopically implanting a ring of magnetic beads around the outside of the LES. The ring expands as food passes through the LES and then contracts as the beads are magnetically drawn together, mimicking the normal action of the sphincter.
The procedure takes less than an hour to perform and requires an overnight hospital stay.
“For millions of Americans, GERD is an everyday struggle that can severely impact quality of life and may lead to numerous complications,” said principal investigator, James D. Luketich, M.D., director of the HLESI, and chief of the division of thoracic and foregut surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “The LINX system is intended to address the underlying cause of gastric reflux, compared with medications which only address the symptoms.”
To be eligible for the study, patients must have a history of GERD that persists despite daily drug therapy. Potential candidates also must be physically able to undergo general anesthesia and laparoscopic surgery.
For more information, call (412) 647-7555.