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Diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal causes of chest pain of uncertain origin

Authors :
John de Caestecker
Publication Year :
2002
Publisher :
Royal College of Physicians, 2002.

Abstract

Recurrent central chest pain is a common clinical problem. Not surprisingly, most patients will want to know if the symptom arises from the heart and, if so, whether they are at risk of a sudden cardiac event. In general practice in the UK more than half such patients turn out not to have cardiac disease 1 , while about 10% of the more highly selected group who end up having diagnostic coronary angiography have no abnormality of the epicardial arteries. These patients have a low mortality, but up to 75% suffer persistent symptoms and a poor quality of life over long follow-up periods (2‐ 10 years) and 30‐ 50% of them never return to work and are unable to carry out household tasks. Many remain convinced that they have a cardiac disorder, even if an alternative diagnosis has been proposed, continuing to take cardiac medications and to use medical resources 1‐3 .

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....0110eab2f15d3d8b77242ab7ba171f2f