Esophageal (Bravo™) pH monitoring

Overview

Esophageal pH monitoring is a test used to evaluate for gastroesophageal reflux disease and to determine the effectiveness of medications that prevent acid reflux. It measures the amount of acid backing up from the stomach into the esophagus.

Esophageal pH monitoring is often used to assess for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). First it evaluates typical symptoms including heartburn and regurgitation, which do not respond to treatment with medications. Next it evaluates atypical symptoms of GERD including coughing, chest pain, wheezing, hoarseness and sore throat.

Occasionally, this test is used to monitor the effectiveness of medications used to treat GERD, often as part of a pre-operative evaluation before anti-reflux surgery.