title: Non-cardiac chest pain: a real clinical problem.
abstract: Non-cardiac chest pain is a frequent clinical problem. Between 10 and 50% of patients with anginal pain who are referred for arteriography are found to have normal coronary arteries. An oesophageal source of non-cardiac chest pain is reported in up to 60% of cases, most of which are attributable to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The exclusion of heart disease and the identification of an oesophageal origin of the pain may require an extensive work-up. The outcome in patients with non-cardiac chest pain is influenced by both the underlying diagnosis and the patient's perception of his or her symptom.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, S. Orsola Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrarini
mesh_terms: D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008365:Manometry