Chest Pain Epidemiology 6 million ED visits/year 5-7% ED patients 3.3% AIS evacuations 2002, 3.5% in 2003, 3.6% in 2004, 3.2% in 2005 3 million patients admitted/year 70% found not to have acute coronary event 0.4% - 4.0% acute MI are sent home
Chest Pain Pathophysiology Chest pain syndromes difficult to diagnose Multiple organ systems of the chest Share afferent (nerve) pathways Pathology in any of these systems have similar pattern of complaints Most patients have CP with acute coronary syndrome(ACS), others may present with only SOB, N/V, arm or jaw pain
Differential Diagnosis of Chest Pain Life-threatening causes Acute coronary syndrome(ACS) Aortic dissection Pulmonary embolism Tension pneumothorax Esophageal rupture (Boerhaave’s syndrome) Pericarditis; myocarditis Acute chest syndrome(in sickle cell disease) Myocarditis is the most common cause of sudden death in the young. Acute chest syndrome is the most common cause of death in sickle cell patients. Sickle cell patients presenting with chest pain should be presumed to have acute chest syndrome until proven otherwise. Progressive hypoxia, multilobar pneumonia, on chest x-ray, and falling hemoglobin levels are the most common clinical findings.
Differential Diagnosis of Chest Pain Non-life-threatening causes Gastrointestinal Biliary colic (cholelithiasis, cholecystitis) Gastroesophageal reflux disease Peptic ulcer disease Pulmonary Pneumonia Pleurisy
Differential Diagnosis of Chest Pain Non-life-threatening causes Chest wall syndromes Musculoskeletal pain Costochondritis Thoracic radiculopathy Psychiatric Anxiety Shingles
Chest Pain Evaluation Problems History Risk factors Physical exam Rhythm strip, 9 lead ECG, 12 lead ECG Risk stratification based on above factors Do modified 9 lead by placing unit in the diagnostic mode.
The Initial Clinical Examination ECG can only help if it shows acute MI Initial ECG sensitivity 20% - 60% AMI Sensitivity of plasma CK-MB low first 4 hrs Can’t detect unstable angina Therefore evaluation based on history, physical exam and ECG
History “The most important difference between a good and indifferent clinician lies in the amount of attention paid to the story of the patient”---Farquhar Buzzard
History Helpful to group questions to target the three most common life threats; Consider ACS questions Pulmonary embolism(PE) questions Aortic dissection questions
History Cardiac Questions 2 most important historical information age, gender Advancing age, prevalence and severity of CAD increases Can estimate pretest probability of CAD based on age and gender Further refine pretest probability by classifying the chest pain as typical, atypical, or non-anginal CAD(coronary artery disease). A combination of autopsy data and large angiography studies allows us to estimate the pretest probability of CAD in patients based on age and gender alone.
Pretest likelihood of CAD based on age, sex, and symptoms Asymptomatic non-anginal CP Age Men Women Men Women 30-39 1.9% 0.3% 5.2% 0.8% 40-49 5.5% 1.0% 14.1% 2.8% 50-59 9.7% 3.2% 21.5% 8.4% 60-69 12.3% 7.5% 28.1% 18.6%
Pretest likelihood of CAD based on age, sex, and symptoms Atypical angina Typical angina Age Men Women Men Women 30-39 21.8% 4.2% 69.7% 25.8% 40-49 46.1% 13.3% 87.3% 55.2% 50-59 58.9% 32.4% 92.0% 79.4% 60-69 67.1% 54.4% 94.3% 90.6% Atypical(variant) angina or Prinzmetal angina primarily occurs at rest and without provocation. The current thought is that variant angina is due to vasospasm of the coronary vessels. When studies are performed by angiogram, about 1/3 have no or insignificant atherosclerosis and about 2/3 have CAD in addition to spasm.
Cardiac Questions Example; 35y/o male with non-anginal CP has 5% pretest probability of CAD(1 in 20) same 35y/o with atypical angina 22% of CAD or (1in 5) same 35y/o with typical angina 70%(7in10) If patient has known previous CAD/MI raises risk of subsequent coronary event 5 times If patient has cardiac history ask about prior stress tests, cardiac caths, bypass surgery, stents
Cardiac Questions Character of Pain Many patients have atypical symptoms Ask questions in regard to nature (quality), severity(1-10), duration, modifying factors of the pain, and associated symptoms 40% patients with AMI have atypical CP 35% patients without AMI have typical CP
Cardiac Questions In one study of 721 patients who were diagnosed with AMI, almost ½ presented without CP SOB, weakness, dizziness, syncope, abdominal pain Typical angina is a deep, poorly localized chest or arm discomfort that is classically exertional and relieved with rest or nitrates
Analysis of Clinical Predictors of AMI Clinical features AMI chest pain radiation Odds ratio left arm 1.5 right arm 3.2 both arms 7.7 nausea, vomiting 1.8 diaphoresis 1.4 exertional CP 3.1
Analysis of Clinical Predictors of AMI Clinical features AMI Odds ratio burning/indigestion pain 4.0 crushing/squeezing pain 2.1 relief with nitroglycerin 0.9 pleuritic pain 0.5 tender chest wall 0.2 sharp/stabbing pain 0.5
Cardiac Questions Another study of 251 patients with cardiac CP showed 88% respond to NTG, also 92% of noncardiac CP responded to NTG Can you give GI cocktail to R/O cardiac CP? a study of 97 patients who received GI cocktail showed 8 of 11 patients admitted with possible cardiac ischemia had complete or partial relief of CP
Cardiac Questions Risk Factors Diabetes, hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol, and family history Most CAD patients have at least one The absence of risk factors does not exclude acute cardiac ischemia
Aortic Dissection History Male (75%) Seventh decade History of hypertension (70%) Other risk factors; Marfan’s syndrome, atherosclerosis, prior dissection, or known aortic aneurysm Marfan”s syndrome is a generalized disorder of connective tissue with skeletal, ocular, and cardiac manifestations. The extremities are long and thin. The eyes show subluxation of the lens. Severe myopia and spontaneous retinal detachment are common. Cardiovascular defects include disruption and loss of elastic fibers in the media of the aorta. The lack of elasticity results in progressive diffuse dilatation of the proximal segment of the ascending aorta and severe aortic regurgitation. Heart failure and rupture of the aorta from dissecting aneurysm are the most common cause of death.
Aortic Dissection History Pain is sudden onset (83%) Severe or “worse ever” (90%) Sharp (64%) or tearing (50%) Location anterior chest (60%), back (53%) Migratory (16%), radiating (28%) Suspect dissection in patients with clinical changing picture Patients who complain of chest pain along with a neurologic deficit may have a dissection occluding a cerebral or spinal artery.
Aortic Dissection History Should address 3 basic concerns regarding a patient’s pain: quality (sudden and severe) radiation (especially to the back) intensity at onset (maximal) Aortic dissection and MI can coexist 8% dissection involves coronary arteries One retrospective study showed that when all three questions were asked, physicians correctly diagnosed thoracic aortic dissection in 30 of 33 patients(91%); if one or more of these aspects were omitted, the correct diagnosis was suspected in fewer than half of all patients. EKG changes such as acute ST and T wave abnormalities are present in half of all patients with aortic dissection--- often confounding the initial diagnosis.
Pulmonary Embolism History Clinical diagnosis of PE is difficult Symptoms are variable and nonspecific Can range from dyspnea and fatigue to severe pleuritic CP and syncope Classic description of pleuritic pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis represents embolic pulmonary infarction and is seen most commonly in hospitalized patients
Pulmonary Embolism History Ambulatory patients often present with painless dyspnea Can have several weeks of intermittent symptoms Physical exam is rarely diagnostic Reproducible chest wall pain does not exclude diagnosis
Pulmonary Embolism History Wide spectrum of pain quality and location Pain that is peripheral, increases with deep breath, and not reproducible- suspect PE Isolated substernal, pleuritic CP less likely PE Substernal, anginal CP occurs 4% PE Radiation to arm distinctly unusual Pleuritic CP and leg pain more commonly PE than other diagnosis
Pulmonary Embolism Risk Factors Inherited hypercoagulability disorders Acquired disorders: immobilization, pregnancy, BCP malignancy, age prior history venous thromboembolism trauma, obesity surgery, smoking
Pulmonary Embolism Risk Factors Medical conditions CHF MI stroke hyperviscosity syndrome (polycythemia vera) Crohn’s disease Nephrotic syndrome
Other Conditions Boerhaave’s syndrome presents as spontaneous esophageal rupture after vomiting Pain on swallowing Significant number are recently, or acutely intoxicated Pericarditis refers pain to neck, shoulder and worsens with inspiration, swallowing, and lying supine
Physical Examination Stable patients with AMI rarely have physical findings on exam Vital Signs Chest pain and hypotension-not good 8% PE and 15% aortic dissection are hypotensive on presentation Patients with CP and hypotension are 3 times more likely to have AMI than normotensive pts
Physical Examination Vital Signs Fever, consider noncardiac cause, pneumonia, mediastinitis Low grade fever occurs 14% PE, only 2% PE pts had fever> 102F Tachypnea is most common sign in PE, 15% PE pts had respiratory rate <20/min
Physical Examination Vital Signs Tachycardia is nonspecific sign May be only clue to early pericarditis, myocarditis Bradycardia, esp. due to conduction defects, may be seen in right coronary occlusions
Physical Examination Vital Signs Fifth vital sign, pulse oximetry Hypoxia can occur in many conditions Patient with low O2 saturations require supplemental oxygen O2 saturation is normal in ¼ of pts with PE
Physical Examination Head and Neck Check neck for Kussmaul’s sign (a paradoxical increase in jugular venous distension with inspiration) Seen in pericardial tamponade, right heart failure or infarction, PE, or tension pneumothorax) Subcutaneous air at the root of the neck suggests pneumothorax, or pneumomediastinitis Carotids bruits increase likelihood of CAD
Physical Examination Pulmonary Exam Look for respiratory distress: nasal flaring, intercostal retractions, and accessory muscle use Listen for unilateral absence of breath sounds; consider pneumothorax, or massive pleural effusion Percuss the chest for infiltrates, effusions, and pneumothorax
Physical Examination Pulmonary Exam Wheezing and rales are important findings but are not specific for certain diseases Asthma, foreign body, CHF, PE all may cause wheezing Rales are rare in pts with AMI, but their presence with left heart failure, raises the likelihood of MI by twofold
Physical Examination Cardiac Exam A new murmur may signal papillary muscle rupture Murmur of aortic insufficiency is an important finding associated with aortic dissection S3 gallop secondary to CHF raises likelihood of MI 3 times
Physical Examination Cardiac Exam Hamman’s crunch- crunching sound of heart beating against mediastinal air Pericardial rub(creaking of new leather) seen in pericarditis Beck’s triad(distant heart sounds, distended neck veins, and hypotension) seen in pericardial tamponade from proximal aortic dissection
Physical Examination Chest Wall Exam Even with chest wall tenderness, still have to consider life-threatening causes Reproducible CP frequently seen in pts with PE and ACS Costochondritis is inflammation of the costal cartilages, may result in sharp, dull, or pleuritic CP, rarely has swelling of soft tissues
Physical Examination Chest Wall Exam Tietze’s syndrome- fusiform swelling and pain of only one upper costal cartilage Compression of cervical or thoracic nerve may produce dull chest pain mimickings angina (cervico-precordial angina) Pain worsens with neck movement, coughing, sneezing, or axial loading of the vertebrae Check skin for herpes zoster (shingles); causes unilateral pain over 1-2 dermatones
Physical Examination Exam of the Extremities Look for edema, thrombosis, or pulse deficits Peripheral edema frequently seen in right-sided and biventricular failure Usually absent in acute left heart failure Unilateral edema or palpable venous thrombus(cord) suggest DVT or PE But most pts with PE have normal ext. exams
Physical Examination Examination of Pulses Exam for symmetry and quality Pulse deficit is defined as asymmetrical amplitude between the right and left sides Pulse deficits most common in type A dissections(ascending aorta) Measured BP difference occurs 15% Differences > 20mmHg between arms was an independent predictor of dissection
Physical Examination Neurologic Exam Altered mental status nonspecific finding Associated with any cause of CP that leads to BP instability and cerebral hypoperfusion 17% aortic dissection have focal neurologic deficits due to occlusion of carotid or spinal arteries Distal aortic dissections can cause spinal cord ischemia
Diagnostic Studies The ECG is the most important test in the evaluation of CP The initial ECG is insensitive in identifying acute coronary syndrome Only 20%-60% pts presenting with acute MI have diagnostic changes on initial ECG
Diagnostic Studies ECG What diagnostic changes? at least 1 mm elevation in one or more inferior/lateral leads or at least 2mm of elevation in one or more anterioseptal leads 10% pts with AMI have LVH with repolarization changes Tall peaked T waves may be earliest sign of AMI
Acute Anterior MI
Acute Inferior MI
Offshore Case Presentation # 1 Chief Complaint chest and arm pain History of Present Illness 38 y/o male c/o burning right sided chest and arm pain which began after he stood up from the supper table.
Case Presentation # 1 History of Present Illness Pain is burning in quality Location is substernal and in the right arm 5 on (1-10 scale) initially, now 2 No radiation, duration > 2 hours No associated nausea, vomiting, SOB, or diaphoresis Pain increased after climbing 3 flights stairs
Case Presentation # 1 Past History 2 weeks ago dx with acid reflux, had substernal chest pain. PMD stated ECG was normal, blood test normal, but cholesterol and BP were elevated Began Nexium, cholesterol, and BP meds, but quit taking them No other past medical problems
Case Presentation # 1 Medications- none NKA Risk Factors + HTN, cholesterol, Family hx heart disease, smoker - diabetes
Case Presentation # 1 Physical Examination Vital signs: BP-140/88, P-76, RR-20, T-97.9, O2 sat.-98%; ECG- no acute changes Alert WM in NAD skin warm, and dry Ht -RR&R; Lungs- clear; Chest wall- nontender; Abd- soft, nontender; Ext- equal pulses
Case Presentation # 1 What should we do now?
Case Presentation # 1 Treatment Plan, Physician Orders 4 baby ASA chew and swallow O2 IV NS TKO NTG SL q3-5min up to 3 Nitrol paste 1” if BP stable MS if needed Send in emergently
Case Presentation #1 Final diagnosis: ACS Angiogram revealed two 95% blockages, 2 stents placed
Case Presentation # 2 Chief Complaint chest pain History of Present Illness 32y/o male with squeezing, substernal chest pain that began while sitting in chair. Pain is worse with deep breathing and not relieved by drinking carbonated soda.
Case Presentation # 2 HPI Quality- squeezing Location- substernal No radiation, duration >1 hour Intensity- 5 (1-10) scale No associated nausea, vomiting, SOB, diaphoresis
Case # 2 Past History Hx of 2 previous episodes of chest pain while on rig. 1st workup was neg. 2nd revealed aortic valve problem and coronary blockage with stent placement 1998 Hx of HTN Medicines- Toprol, Avapro, and ASA qd NKA
Case # 2 Risk Factors + HTN, smoker, Past Hx of CAD, Family Hx of MI- GF (both sides) - DM, elevated cholesterol
Case # 2 Physical Exam Vital signs- BP 160/80, P-94, RR-16, O2 sat 98%; ECG- no acute changes Alert WM in NAD skin warm and dry heart- RR&R; Lungs- clear; Chest wall nontender; Abd- soft, nontender; Ext- equal pulses
Case # 2 What should we do now?
Case # 2 Treatment Plan, Physician Orders IV NS TKO NTG SL q3-5min up to 3 Nitrol paste 1” if BP stable MS if needed Send in emergently
Case # 2 Final diagnosis: Work up revealed an ascending aortic aneurysm Emergent surgical repair, resection
Case # 3 Chief complaint Shortness of breath History of Present Illness 53y/o awoke from sleep with SOB. Patient denies CP, nausea, vomiting, or diaphoresis. No hx of previous episodes in past. Denies cold, but did have coughing episode prior to SOB.
Case # 3 Past Medical History negative Medicine- none NKA Risk Factors + smoker - HTN, DM, cholesterol, Family Hx CAD
Case # 3 Physical Exam Vital signs- BP-130/90, P-104, RR-30, T-97.4, O2 sat- 95%; ECG- sinus tach, no acute changes Alert WM in mild distress, not SOB now skin warm and dry Heart- RR&R; lungs- clear, no wheezes; Abd- nontender; Ext- no swelling, equal pulses
Case # 3 What should we do now?
Case # 3 Treatment Plan, Physician Orders IV NS TKO Cardiac Monitor Emergent evacuation
Case # 3 Final Diagnosis Pulmonary Embolism
Questions???