[Esophageal abnormalities in patients with chest pain and normal coronary angiograms]

To evaluate the frequency and the variety of esophageal abnormalities in patients with chest pain and normal coronary angiograms.

: We have conducted a prospective study including patients with noncardiac chest pain based on normal coronary angiograms. We performed for all patients an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and stationary esophageal manometry.

Fifty patients were studied on a 3-year period (24 men and 26 women, mean age: 51.5 years). Gastroesophageal reflux disease was found on 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring in 29 patients (58%), associated with a good symptomatic correlation in 17 patients (34%). Esophageal motor disorders as nutcracker esophagus and diffuse esophageal spasm were found in 6 patients (12%) associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease in two cases. Independent factors associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal motor disorders were respectively presence of regurgitations (p = 0.005 : adjusted OR[IC95%] : 3.57 [1.28 - 16.66]) and age higher than 58 years (p = 0.01 : adjusted OR[IC95%]: 2.77 [1.33 - 12.50]).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common esophageal abnormality n; patients with noncardiac chest pain. In the absence of regurgitations, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring must be the first test to be performed.