Characteristics of esophageal pain

Esophageal pain was investigated in 200 consecutive patients prior to surgical correction of reflux. the pain has been analyzed to determine its characteristic and its atypical features. Arm distribution of pain and exercise induced pain were the most a typical features and led to diagnostic difficulty. Although acid perfusion studies reproduced some component of the pain in 94% of patients, reproduction of arm pain was possible in only 37.2% of those with this symptom. The importance of cardiologic evaluation in patients with atypical esophageal pain is emphasized.