Chest pain investigation, diagnosis and treatment How to manage a patient presenting with chest pain This page explains how to approach a patient

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1 Chest pain investigation, diagnosis and treatment How to manage a patient presenting with chest pain This page explains how to approach a patient with chest pain, focusing on the immediate investigations, common and important possible diagnoses, and what you should do to treat it Is this an emergency? Always start with an ABCDE approach If the patient looks very unwell or peri-arrest ask for help early Worrying features Obs: Tachycardia over 120, bradycardia, hypotension, high respiratory rate, low GCS Presentation: Sudden onset, sweating, nausea, vomiting, pain radiating to jaw, left arm or back ECG changes

2 Common Heart: Myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndromes (STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable angina), pericarditis Lungs: Pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, pneumothorax GI: Reflux and peptic ulcer disease Musculoskeletal (rule out others first) Uncommon but important Aortic dissection Cardiac tamponade Sickle-cell crisis

3 History Presenting complaint: site of onset and radiation, quality (heavy, aching, sharp, tearing), intensity (scale of 1 10), time of onset, duration, associated symptoms (sweating, nausea, palpitations, breathlessness), exacerbating or relieving factors (breathing, position, exertion, eating), recent trauma or exertion, similarity to previous episodes Past medical history : cardiac or respiratory problems, diabetes, reflux Drug history: cardiac or respiratory medications, antacids Family history: IHD (esp under 60 years old), premature cardiac death Social history: smoking, exercise tolerance

4 Risk factors Ischaemic heart disease: hypertension, high cholesterol, positive family history, smoking, diabetes, previous IHD, obesity PE: previous PE/DVT, immobility, use of oestrogens/ocp, recent surgery, malignancy, family history, pregnancy, hypercoagulable states, smoking, long distance travel GI: known GORD, known peptic ulcer, alcohol binge Observations HR, BP (both arms), RR, sats, temp

5 Examination General: Pulse rate/rhythm/volume, sweating, pallor, dyspnoea, cyanosis Neck: Raised JVP; tracheal deviation Chest: Asymmetric chest expansion/percussion/breath sounds; chest wall tenderness; murmur Abdo: epigastric tenderness Legs: swollen ankles, calf pain/swelling/erythema Investigations ECG Bloods FBC, U&E, LFT, D-dimer (if considering PE and low Wells score), troponin if suspected IHD ABG if patient acutely unwell or sats under 95% CXR Portable CXR if the patient is severely ill. Standard CXR if they can go to department Echo/ CT if large proximal PE or aortic root dissection suspected Also can echo for region wall motion abnormality in MI

6 Common causes of chest pain Diagnosis History Examination Investigations ACS (STEMI) Sudden onset pain, radiating to left arm/jaw, >20min, breathlessness, sweating, nausea Dyspnoea, ±arrhythmia, sweating ST elevation or new LBBB, raised troponin. Cardiac markers are not needed to make the diagnosis of STEMI ACS (NSTEMI) Sudden onset pain, radiating to left arm/jaw, >20min, breathlessness, sweating, nausea Dyspnoea, ±arrhythmia, sweating ST depression, t-wave inversion; raised troponin ACS (Unstable angina) Anginal pain at rest or with raised frequency, severity or duration Dyspnoea, ±arrhythmia, sweating ST depression, T-wave inversion, troponin not elevated

7 Diagnosis History Examination Investigations Angina (stable) Exertional pain, radiating to left arm/jaw, <20min, breathlessness, relieved by rest/gtn Dyspnoea, tachycardia, may be normal after pain resolves Transient ECG changes, troponin not elevated, positive stress ECG, positive coronary angiography Pericarditis May have history of viral-like illness, pleuritic pain, increased on lying, decreased by sitting forwards May have pericardial rub, otherwise normal examinations Saddle-shaped ST segments on most ECG leads, raised CRP Aortic dissection Sudden onset severe interscapular pain, tearing in nature, breathlessness. May have arm weakness/numbness Tachycardia, shock, difference in brachial pulses and pressures. Limb weakness or paraesthesia Widened mediastinum on CXR, aortic dilatation on echo/ct

8 Diagnosis History Examination Investigations Pulmonary embolism Breathlessness, PE risk factors, may have pleuritic chest pain and haemoptysis Often normal, may have evidence of DVT (swollen red leg), tachycardia, dyspnoea ABG: low (or normal) po2, low CO2 (hyperventilation), clear CXR. Raised D- dimer. ECG: sinus tachycardia, S1Q3T3 (rare), thrombus on echo Pneumothorax Sudden onset pleuritic pain ±trauma; tall and thin; COPD Mediastinal shift, unequal air entry and expansion, hyperresonance Mediastinal shift, unequal air entry and expansion, hyperresonance Pneumonia Cough, productive with coloured sputum, pleuritic pain, feels unwell Febrile, asymmetrical air entry, coarse creps (often unilateral), dull to percussion High white count and CRP, consolidation on CXR

9 Diagnosis History Examination Investigations Musculoskeletal chest pain Lifting, impact injury, may be pleuritic, worse on palpation or movement Tender (presence does not exclude other causes), respiratory examination normal ECG to exclude cardiac cause, normal CXR Oesophageal reflux or spasm Previous indigestion/ reflux, known hiatus hernia, relieved by antacids May have upper abdo tenderness, normal examinations ECG to exclude cardiac cause, normal CXR, trial of antacids

10 Treatment Oxygen to keep sats over 94% Consider IV opioids (and an antiemetic) if pain is severe Further treatment depends on cause Common and important diagnoses If you are unable to confirm a diagnosis immediately, consider life-threatening causes and investigate until excluded: Cardiac ischaemia: abnormal ECG, typical history, raised cardiac markers PE: low sats, abnormal ECG, clinical risk, high D-dimer, positive CTPA Pneumothorax: mediastinal shift, decreased breath sounds, CXR Aortic dissection: evidence of shock, left and right systolic BP differ by >15mmHg, mediastinal widening on CXR, abnormal CT/echo

11 Differential diagnosis for chest pain Common and important causes of chest pain for doctors and medical students This refers to chest pain that is not sharp and is not the patient s familiar angina. Ideally, the detailed history is taken where resuscitation facilities are available. Early, nonspecific ECG changes will suggest an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a term that includes angina or infarction (MI) but serial ECG or troponin changes are usually needed to distinguish types of ACS: Raised troponin indicates episode of muscle necrosis (remains elevated for up to two weeks). Normal troponin 12 hours after pain essentially rules out MI ST-segment elevation indicates current ischaemia (or rarely ventricular aneurysm) Further table of causes below:

12 Chest pain - acute or worsening Diagnosis Angina (new or unstable) ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) Evidence Suggested by: central pain ± radiating to jaw and either arm (left usually). Intermittent, brought on by exertion, relieved by rest or nitrates, and lasting <30 minutes. May be associated with transient ST depression or T inversions or, rarely, ST elevation. Confirmed by: no troponin rise after 12 hours (excludes MI). Stress test showing inducible ischemia Suggested by: central chest pain ± radiating to jaw and either arm (left usually). Continuous, usually over 30 minutes, not relieved by rest or nitrates Confirmed by: ST elevation 1 mm in limb leads or 2 mm in chest leads on serial ECGs (this is regarded as sufficient evidence to treat with thrombolysis). Raised troponin indicates episode of muscle necrosis up to 2 weeks before. Raised troponin may not be present in the first 4 hours after the onset of chest pain. Suggested by: central chest pain ± radiating to jaw and either arm (left usually). Continuous, usually over 30 minutes, not relieved by rest or nitrates Confirmed by: elevated troponin after 12 hours. T-wave and ST-segment changes but no ST elevation on serial ECGs

13 Diagnosis Esophagitis and oesophageal spasm Pulmonary embolus (arising from leg DVT, silent pelvic vein thrombosis, right atrial thrombus) Pneumothorax Evidence Suggested by: past episodes of pain when supine, after food. Relieved by antacids Confirmed by: no increase in troponin after 12 hours and no ST-segment changes on ECG. Improvement with antacids. Esophagitis on endoscopy Suggested by: central chest pain, also abrupt shortness of breath, cyanosis, tachycardia, loud second sound in pulmonary area, associated deep vein thrombosis, (DVT) or risk factors such as cancer, recent surgery, immobility Confirmed by: V/Q scan with mismatched ventilation and perfusion, spiral (helical) CT (CT-pulmonary angiogram) showing clot in pulmonary artery Suggested by: abrupt pain in center or side of chest with abrupt breathlessness. Resonance to percussion over site Confirmed by: expiration CXR showing dark field with loss of lung markings outside sharp line containing lung tissue

14 Diagnosis Dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm Chest wall pain (e.g.costochondritis and Tietze s syndrome, strained muscle or rib injury) Evidence Suggested by: tearing pain often radiating to back and not responsive to analgesia, abnormal or absent peripheral pulses, early diastolic murmur, low blood pressure, and wide mediastinum on CXR Confirmed by: loss of single clear lumen on CT scan or MRI Suggested by: chest pain and localized tenderness of chest wall or chest pain on twisting of neck or thoracic cage Confirmed by: no rise in troponin after 12 hours, and no ST-segment changes or T-wave changes serially on ECG. Response to rest and analgesics

15 Differential diagnosis for pleuritic chest pain Common and important causes of pleuritic chest pain for doctors and medical students Pleuritic chest pain refers to pain felt worse on inspiration. It usually occurs due to visceral and parietal pleura rubbing over each other but can be due to musculoskeletal or nerverelated pathology.

16 Diagnosis Pleurisy (due to pneumonia) Pulmonary infarct (due to embolus arising from DVT in leg, silent pelvic vein thrombosis, silent right atrial thrombosis) Pneumothorax Evidence Suggested by: being worse on inspiration, shallow breaths, pleural rub, evidence of infection (fever, cough, consolidation, etc.). Confirmed by: opacification in lung periphery on CXR and sputum/blood culture Suggested by: sudden onset shortness of breath, pleural rub, cyanosis, tachycardia, loud P2, associated DVT, or risk factors such as recent surgery, cancer, immobility. Confirmed by: V/Q scan mismatch, CTPA showing clot in pulmonary artery Suggested by: pain in centre or side of chest with abrupt breathlessness. Diminished breath sounds, resonance to percussion over site. Confirmed by: expiratory CXR showing loss of lung markings outside sharp pleural line.

17 Diagnosis Pericarditis (caused by MI, infection, especially viral, malignancy, uraemia, connective tissue diseases) Musculoskeletal injury or inflammation Chest wall pain (e.g. chostochondritis or Tietze s syndrome, strained muscle or rib injury) Evidence Suggested by: sharp pain worse lying flat or with trunk movement, relieved by leaning forward. Pericardial rub. Confirmed by: ECG showing diffuse concave ST elevation and PR depression. CXR: globular heart shadow and relief with pericardial drainage (if hypotensive). Suggested by: associated focal tenderness. Often history of trauma. Confirmed by: excluding other explanations. Normal troponin. Suggested by: chest pain and localised tenderness of chest wall or chest pain on twisting of neck or thoracic cage. Confirmed by: no raised troponin after 12 hours, and no ST-segment or T-wave changes serially on ECG. Response to rest and analgesics.

18 Diagnosis Dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm Chest wall pain (e.g.costochondritis and Tietze s syndrome, strained muscle or rib injury) Evidence Suggested by: tearing pain often radiating to back and not responsive to analgesia, abnormal or absent peripheral pulses, early diastolic murmur, low blood pressure, and wide mediastinum on CXR Confirmed by: loss of single clear lumen on CT scan or MRI Suggested by: chest pain and localized tenderness of chest wall or chest pain on twisting of neck or thoracic cage Confirmed by: no rise in troponin after 12 hours, and no ST-segment changes or T-wave changes serially on ECG. Response to rest and analgesics

19 Differential diagnosis for pleuritic chest pain Common and important causes of pleuritic chest pain for doctors and medical students Pleuritic chest pain refers to pain felt worse on inspiration. It usually occurs due to visceral and parietal pleura rubbing over each other but can be due to musculoskeletal or nerve-related pathology.

20 Diagnosis Pleurisy (due to pneumonia) Pulmonary infarct (due to embolus arising from DVT in leg, silent pelvic vein thrombosis, silent right atrial thrombosis) Pneumothorax Evidence Suggested by: being worse on inspiration, shallow breaths, pleural rub, evidence of infection (fever, cough, consolidation, etc.). Confirmed by: opacification in lung periphery on CXR and sputum/blood culture Suggested by: sudden onset shortness of breath, pleural rub, cyanosis, tachycardia, loud P2, associated DVT, or risk factors such as recent surgery, cancer, immobility. Confirmed by: V/Q scan mismatch, CTPA showing clot in pulmonary artery Suggested by: pain in centre or side of chest with abrupt breathlessness. Diminished breath sounds, resonance to percussion over site. Confirmed by: expiratory CXR showing loss of lung markings outside sharp pleural line.

21 Diagnosis Pericarditis (caused by MI, infection, especially viral, malignancy, uraemia, connective tissue diseases) Musculoskeletal injury or inflammation Chest wall pain (e.g. chostochondritis or Tietze s syndrome, strained muscle or rib injury) Evidence Suggested by: sharp pain worse lying flat or with trunk movement, relieved by leaning forward. Pericardial rub. Confirmed by: ECG showing diffuse concave ST elevation and PR depression. CXR: globular heart shadow and relief with pericardial drainage (if hypotensive). Suggested by: associated focal tenderness. Often history of trauma. Confirmed by: excluding other explanations. Normal troponin. Suggested by: chest pain and localised tenderness of chest wall or chest pain on twisting of neck or thoracic cage. Confirmed by: no raised troponin after 12 hours, and no ST-segment or T-wave changes serially on ECG. Response to rest and analgesics.

22 Diagnosis Referred cervical root pain Shingles Evidence Suggested by: Previous minor episodes, exacerbation by neck movement (producing closure of nerve root foramina related to area of pain). Confirmed by: clinical features and MRI scan. Suggested by: pain (often burning) in a dermatomal distribution, previous exposure to chicken pox or shingles attacks. More common in immunocompromised patients. Confirmed by: vesicles appearing within days.

23 Differential diagnosis for retrosternal chest pain Common and important causes of retrosternal chest pain for doctors and medical students Diagnosis Evidence Gastroesophageal reflux/gastritis Biliary colic Pancreatitis (often due to gallstone impacted in common bile duct) Myocardial infarction (often inferior) Suggested by: central or epigastric burning pain, onset over hours, dyspepsia, worse lying flat, worsened by food, alcohol, NSAIDs. Confirmed by: OGD showing inflamed mucosa. Suggested by: postprandial pain, severe and gripping or colicky, usually in right upper quadrant (RUQ) and that can radiate to right scapula. Onset over hours. Confirmed by: ultrasound showing gallstones and biliary dilatation or characteristic findings on ERCP. Suggested by: mid-epigastric pain radiating to back, associated with nausea and vomiting, gallstones. Onset over hours. Confirmed by: increased serum amylase to 5 times normal, increased serum lipase. Suggested by: continuous pain, usually over 30 minutes, not relieved by rest or antianginal medication. Onset over minutes to hours. Confirmed by: T wave inversion ± ST elevation of 1 mm in limb leads or 2 mm in chest leads on serial ECGs or increased troponin.

24 Chest Pain History Free medical revision on chest pain history taking skills for medical student exams, finals, OSCEs and MRCP PACES Introduction (WIIPP) Wash your hands Introduce yourself: give your name and your job (e.g. Dr. Louise Gooch, ward doctor) Identity: confirm you re speaking to the correct patient (name and date of birth) Permission: confirm the reason for seeing the patient ( I m going to ask you some questions about what s brought you in here today, is that OK? ) Positioning: patient sitting in chair approximately a metre away from you. Ensure you are sitting at the same level as them and ideally not behind a desk.

25 Presenting Complaint and History of Presenting Complaint Chest pain is an excellent example of when to use the mnemonic SOCRATES : Site (central or left sided chest pain, retrosternal pain, epigastric pain) Onset (sudden onset, how quickly it progressed, relation to exertion [if related to exertion, is it always related to exertion or occasionally at rest]) Character (crushing, heavy, tight, pleuritic [worst with breathing], burning) Some patients may struggle to explain the character of their pain. If this the case, give them a list of options (e.g. tight, sharp, dull or burning)

26 Radiation (radiating to left arm, neck, jaw [ACS]; back [pancreatitis, aortic dissection]) Alleviating factors (rest, glycerol trinitrate [GTN suggestive of ACS]; sitting forward [pericarditis]) Timing (relation to exertion or food; any positional element) Exacerbating factors Arm movement, pressing on chest (suggests musculoskeletal) Exercise, effort (suggest cardiac) Severity scale (1-10) Associated symptoms Acute coronary syndrome (shortness of breath, sweating, nausea) Other cardiac symptoms (palpitations, peripheral oedema, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, orthopnoea) Abdominal (heartburn, burping, previous history of gastroesophageal reflux) Psychosomatic (anxiety, history of panic attacks) Constitutional symptoms (fever, coryza)

27 Past Medical History Vascular disease in any organ Cardiac Angina; previous mycardial infarction; previous angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG); stents (how many, bare metal or drug-eluting) Peripheral Claudication, previous peripheral vascular disease Neurological Previous stroke, transient ischemic attack

28 Risk factors for cardiovascular disease Hypertension Hypercholesterolemia Diabetes Smoking Family history (heart attack under 60 years old, familial hypercholesterolemia) Risk factors for DVT/PE Recent surgery (under three months), malignancy, immobility Inherited coagulopathy (e.g. protein C or S deficiency) Relevant medications (e.g. oral contraceptive pill / hormone replacement therapy) Risk factors for pneumothorax Tall, thin men in particular Known connection tissue disease (e.g. Marfans) Smoking history

29 Drug History Full drug history including recreational and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. In particular: Cardiac medications Beta-blockers, diuretics, antiplatelet agents, GTN spray Gastric irritants Non steroidal anti inflammatories (NSAIDs), steroids, bisphosphonates Procoagulant medications Oral contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Recreational drug use Cocaine (common cause of coronary artery spasm in young people)

30 Social history Smoking history (pack years) Alcohol intake (units per week) Lifestyle / exercise