Chest pain, dynamic ECG changes and coronary artery disease
1Department of Cardiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla.
Insights
Patients with chest pain and dynamic ECG changes showing typical angina have a high incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Atypical chest pain with dynamic ECG changes indicates a low likelihood of CAD.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Chest pain is a frequent emergency presentation.
- Dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) changes can occur in patients with chest pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients presenting with chest pain and dynamic ECG changes.
Main Methods:
- Coronary angiography was performed on 72 patients with chest pain and dynamic ECG changes.
- Patients were categorized based on chest pain characteristics (typical/unstable angina vs. atypical).
Main Results:
- Of 39 patients with typical/unstable angina, 36 (92.3%) had CAD; mean age was 57.28 years.
- Of 33 patients with atypical chest pain, only 2 (6%) had CAD; mean age was 45.15 years.
- Younger patients and females with dynamic ECG changes were less likely to have CAD.
Conclusions:
- Typical angina with dynamic ECG changes strongly suggests CAD.
- Atypical chest pain with dynamic ECG changes has a low probability of CAD.
- Dynamic ECG changes in younger patients or females may occur without underlying CAD.
Background:
Chest pain is a common emergency. Some patients have dynamic ECG changes with chest pain. Purpose of study was to find out the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients presenting with chest pain and dynamic ECG changes.
Material And Results:
Seventy two patients presenting with chest pain and dynamic ECG changes were subjected to coronary angiography. Thirty nine patients had typical angina/unstable angina (USA). Twenty seven were males and 12 were females. Mean age was 57.28 +/- 8.91 years. 36 (92.3%) of these were found to have CAD. Only three patients of these had normal coronaries. Thirty three patients had atypical chest pain. Twenty two were females and 11 were males. Mean age was 45.15 +/- 10.18 years. Only two (6%) of these patients had CAD. Thirty one (94%) patients had normal coronaries.
Conclusion:
History of typical angina with dynamic ECG changes is highly suggestive of CAD as a cause of chest pain. Patients with atypical chest pain with dynamic ECG changes have low likelihood of CAD. Young patients and females may have dynamic ECG changes without CAD.
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