Acute chest pain.
Of the many causes of acute chest pain, it is important to delineate the life threatening causes, such as myocardial infarction, dissecting aneurysm and pulmonary embolism. It is important to consider the cause as 'myocardial infarction until proved otherwise'. Common causes in general practice are musculoskeletal disorders and functional problems. A diagnostic strategy is outlined.
Murtagh
J
J
Department of Community Medicine, Box Hill Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae