Related Experiment Videos
Phantom angina
W R Martin1, A Margherita, E Amsterdam
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, School of Medicine, Davis.
Chest
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Phantom limb pain can be a symptom of underlying heart disease. This case study shows how treating coronary artery disease resolved phantom limb pain and chest pain in a patient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
Background:
- Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a complex neurological condition often requiring multidisciplinary management.
- Unusual presentations of PLP necessitate comprehensive diagnostic approaches to rule out referred pain sources.
- Cardiac ischemia can manifest with atypical symptoms, including referred pain to amputated limbs.
Observation:
- A 49-year-old male with an above-elbow amputation presented with phantom limb pain and exertional chest pain.
- Diagnostic evaluation revealed exercise-induced S-T segment depression, indicative of myocardial ischemia.
- Coronary angiography confirmed severe three-vessel coronary artery disease.
Findings:
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery successfully treated the patient's coronary artery disease.
- Post-surgery, the patient experienced complete resolution of anginal symptoms and phantom limb pain.
- Objective evidence of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia was abolished following revascularization.
Implications:
- This case highlights that myocardial ischemia can present as phantom limb pain mimicking angina.
- It underscores the importance of considering cardiac etiologies in patients with atypical phantom limb pain.
- Thorough cardiovascular evaluation is crucial for patients with unusual phantom pain features and concurrent exertional symptoms.