Title

Unexplained chest pain in patients with normal coronary arteriograms: a follow-up study of functional status

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

Publication Date

1980-11-27

Document Type

Article

Subjects

Angina Pectoris; *Angiography; *Coronary Angiography; Coronary Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Heart Catheterization; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Time Factors

Disciplines

Cardiology | Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Approximately 10 per cent of patients referred for coronary arteriography because of chest pain have angiographically normal coronary arteries and no other heart disease. We examined the functional status of 57 patients who had undergone catheterization (23 men and 34 women), all of whom were told that their hearts were normal, that their pain was noncardiac, and that no limitation on activity was necessary. At a mean follow-up time of 16 +/- 7.7 months, 27 of the 57 patients (47 per cent) still described their activity as limited by chest pain (before catheterization, 42 of 57 or 74 per cent); 29 of 57 (51 per cent) were unable to work (before catheterization, 36 of 57 or 63 per cent); and 25 of 57 (44 per cent) still believed that they had heart disease (before catheterization, 45 of 57 or 79 per cent). Use of medical facilities was significantly reduced after catheterization (P < 0.001). At follow-up the physician was more likely than the patient to believe that the symptoms had improved. We conclude that many of these patients remain limited in activity and may benefit from further efforts at comunication and rehabilitation.

Source

N Engl J Med. 1980 Nov 27;303(22):1249-52.

Journal/Book/Conference Title

The New England journal of medicine

Related Resources

Link to article in PubMed

PubMed ID

7421961

Link to Full Text

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