Double-blind, randomized study of the effect of cisapride on gastric emptying in critically ill patients

Abstract

Rectal cisapride in the dose given achieved average plasma concentrations similar to those concentrations achieved in healthy subjects after 30 mg of cisapride rectally. There is a large variation in gastric emptying from one day to the next and large numbers of patients are required to determine if cisapride administration improves early gastric emptying in critically ill patients. The volume of gastric aspirate and the presence of bowel sounds do not correlate with gastric emptying.