Karthik Ravi, M.D.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of dupilumab compared to placebo on esophageal distensibility at Week 24.

The purpose of this study is to assess how many patients with milk triggered EoE can tolerate re-introduction of baked milk, and to determine if there is a threshold amount of straight milk that is tolerated

The purposes of this study are to evaluate the effects of Etrasimod on esophageal eosinophilia in adult subjects with active eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), to evaluate the dose-response relationship of 2 doses of etrasimod versus placebo in adult subjects with active EoE, and to select an etrasimod dose based on efficacy and safety for continued development.

This research is being done to see if the investigators can use the cytosponge or esophacap (depending on availability) to determine if shorter duration SFED (two weeks versus six weeks) would have equal results.

Would systemic steroids be an effective treatment in early variants of achalasia?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare esophageal high resolution impedance manometry (HRIM)  with direct mucosal impedance  catheter diagnostic measurements in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disorder.

Can allergy patch test (APT) predict of dietary therapy in patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis?

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of esophageal dysmotility among patients following bariatric surgery.

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of esophageal dysmotility among patients following bariatric surgery.
 

Achalasia is a rare disorder of the esophagus characterized by absent peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. This results in dysphagia, or the inability to swallow, and can lead to malnutrition and failure to thrive in severe disease. POEM has emerged as an effective, minimally invasive therapy for achalasia, enabling selective circular or full thickness myotomy through the distal esophagus, esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and cardia. POEM is a natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) alternative to Heller myotomy, and does not involve incisions to the chest or abdomen. This outpatient procedure involves same-day discharge or an overnight stay in the hospital for observation. As a relatively new procedure, long term outcomes are not well defined. Furthermore, issues regarding patient selection for POEM versus Heller myotomy or pneumatic dilation, predictors of treatment response, and assessment of complications following POEM, including  gastroesophageal reflux disease, need to be defined. 

The purpose of this study is to learn more about the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux among patients with esophagitis using long term proton-pump-inhibitor use.

This study is being done to assess the esophageal muscle (swallowing tube) in patients with and without achalasia to further understand and help direct the treatment for patients with achalasia.

The aims of this study are to:

1. Study the history of esophageal leiomyomas in patients followed with periodic surveillance with endoscopic ultrasound.

2. Determine baseline characteristics and symptoms of patients diagnosed with esophageal leiomyomas.

3. Determine the transformation rate of malignancy or symptoms (if previously asymptomatic) in patients who undergo interval surveillance EUS examinations for esophageal leiomyomas.

4. Determine risk factors for progression of symptoms or malignancy in patients followed with interval surveillance EUS exams for esophageal leiomyomas.

5. Assess morbidity and mortality in patients followed with interval surveillance EUS examinations for esophageal leiomyomas.

6. Identify malignant sub-epithelial tumors, including leiomyosarcomas, granular cell tumors, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) to see if there was a history of benign neoplasm preceding their diagnosis.

7. Evaluate symptom progression in follow up by contacting patient to complete a validated, brief questionnaire (BEDQ: Brief Esopageal Dysphagia Questionnaire).

The purpose of this study is to find the long-term outcomes of patients with hyper-contraction of the esophagus and outflow obstruction of the gastroesophageal junction by reviewing high resolution manometric tracings.

This study will evaluate the role the balloon mucosal impedance may have in diagnosing and monitoring the patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis. We will compare the results of the balloon mucosal impedance in patients with Eosinophilic esophagitis and controls.

The purpose of this study is to:

1. Assess spectrum of symptoms among patients with rumination syndrome diagnosed at Mayo Clinic (through interviews with previously diagnosed patients);
2. Assess the quality of life in persons with rumination syndrome (through interviews with previously diagnosed patients); and
3. Develop a symptom scoring tool which can be used to assess outcomes and response to therapy in this group