Continuous intra jejunal infusion of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel by jejunal extension tube placement through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease: a preliminary study

摘要

OBJECTIVE: Levodopa is the gold standard in the pharmacological treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and its oral administration is associated with the development of disabling motor and non-motor complications in advanced disease. Levodopa is rapidly metabolized and has a short plasma half-life thus requiring frequent, repeated dosing. Impaired gastric emptying is common in PD, and likely contributes to the unpredictable motor responses observed with orally-dosed levodopa. A new therapeutic protocol for patients with advanced PD include a carbidopa/levodopa combination using continuous, modulated enteral administration achieved inserting a Jejunal Extension Tube Placement through Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG-J).