Connecticut Gastroenterology Institute at Bristol Hospital
A Gastroenterology Center Close to Home

The Connecticut Gastroenterology Institute at Bristol Hospital offers advanced capabilities for the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal disorders. Founded under the direction of Gastroenterologist Salam Zakko, MD, this Center of Excellence also conducts research and development and provides education for physicians and clinical staff. It is the only Center in Connecticut to offer the unique, leading edge research and advanced treatment options available in the field of gastroenterology.

Some of these procedures are:

• Testing for non-cardiac chest pain
• Esophageal Impedance to evaluate patients not responding to acid reflux therapy
• Methane andjydrogen breath testing for bacterial overgrowth in those with bloating, gas, bowel disturbances, and fatigue
• Sphincter of Oddi moanmetry for biliary pain of unknown origin
• Wireless capsule endoscopy (the camera in a pill) for esophageal and small bowel to image the small intestine
• Breath testing for Helicobader Pylosi

The Connecticut Gastroenterology Institute has significant regional draw because it is the only center in Connecticut to offer the unique, leading-edge research and advanced treatment options available in the field of gastroenterology. Dr. Zakko is nationally recognized in his field and has pioneered many cutting-edge procedures, including the use of pill endoscopy to diagnose small bowel disorders, and the use of the SLEUTH total reflux monitor for patients with non-acid reflux.

The Connecticut Gastroenterology Institute is located at Bristol Hospital, Level D, Brewster Road, Bristol. For more information, please call the Institute at 860-585-3838.

Clinical Research

The Connecticut Gastroenterology Institute is conducting groundbreaking research in a number of clinical research program. These programs are mainly research protocols designed to establish the safety and efficacy of new devices, drugs, or procedures in the course of obtaining FDA approval for their general use. Many of these research procedures are of benefit especially to patients with conditions that have no available standard treatment options and would have had to travel out of state to take advantage of such therapies. Some of the institute’s currently active research protocols include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Heartburn
• Peptic Ulcer Disease
• Pyspepsia
• Crohn’s Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Arthritis
• Other GI Studies

Most of these clinical studies are supported by grants and are offered to qualifying patients free of charge. This is yet another benefit to those who do not have sufficient insurance coverage.