Chest pain. Differentiating GIT from cardiac causes.
BACKGROUND
Chest pain is a common presenting symptom in general practice. Although a cardiac cause is not the commonest origin, a high index of suspicion is needed. When the diagnosis is not clear, a cardiac cause should be considered until proven otherwise. A gastrointestinal origin of chest pain is not infrequent and may be due to oesophageal, gastric or biliary disease. Oesophageal causes are most common and include reflux, hypersensitivity or dysmotility.


OBJECTIVE
This paper reviews the main gastrointestinal causes that may present with acute chest pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical history taking is the key to decision making and guides the choice of prompt or routine investigation or a therapeutic trial. When reflux is suspected as the cause, a therapeutic trial of high dose antisecretory therapy is appropriate. Investigations may be helpful when typical reflux symptoms are not present or there is a poor response to this approach. Investigations may include endoscopy, ambulatory pH monitoring, barium swallow or oesophageal manometry.
Katelaris
P H
PH
Gastroenterology Unit, University of Sydney Concord Hospital, Concord, NSW 2139. pkatelar@mail.usyd.edu.au
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged