- Section 1 ICU organization and management
- Section 2 Pharmacotherapeutics
- Section 3 Resuscitation
- Section 4 The respiratory system
- Section 5 The cardiovascular system
- Part 5.1 Physiology
- Part 5.2 Cardiovascular monitoring
- Part 5.3 Acute chest pain and coronary syndromes
- Chapter 144 Causes and diagnosis of chest pain
- Chapter 145 Pathophysiology of coronary syndromes
- Chapter 146 Diagnosis and management of non-STEMI coronary syndromes
- Chapter 147 Diagnosis and management of ST-elevation of myocardial infarction
- Part 5.4 Aortic dissection
- Part 5.5 The hypotensive patient
- Part 5.6 Cardiac failure
- Part 5.7 Tachyarrhythmias
- Part 5.8 Bradyarrhythmias
- Part 5.9 Valvular problems
- Part 5.10 Endocarditis
- Part 5.11 Severe hypertension
- Part 5.12 Severe capillary leak
- Part 5.13 Pericardial tamponade
- Part 5.14 Pulmonary hypertension
- Part 5.15 Pulmonary embolus
- Section 6 The gastrointestinal system
- Section 7 Nutrition
- Section 8 The renal system
- Section 9 The neurological system
- Section 10 The metabolic and endocrine systems
- Section 11 The haematological system
- Section 12 The skin and connective tissue
- Section 13 Infection
- Section 14 Inflammation
- Section 15 Poisoning
- Section 16 Trauma
- Section 17 Physical disorders
- Section 18 Pain and sedation
- Section 19 General surgical and obstetric intensive care
- Section 20 Specialized intensive care
- Section 21 Recovery from critical illness
- Section 22 End-of-life care
(p. 669) Causes and diagnosis of chest pain
- Chapter:
- (p. 669) Causes and diagnosis of chest pain
- Author(s):
Caroline Patterson
and Derek Bell
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780199600830.003.0144
Differentiating life-threatening from benign causes of chest pain in the critical care setting is a challenge when the symptoms and signs overlap, and patients are unable to communicate fully. A high index of suspicion is required for occult disease. Once the clinician has ensured the patient is haemodynamically stable, it is imperative to rule out myocardial infarction in the first instance. Where possible, a thorough history and a full examination should be undertaken. Electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, and routine observations are often diagnostic. Targeted investigation such as computed tomography, or transthoracic or transoesophageal ultrasonography may be required to confirm these diagnoses. Timely intervention optimizes survival benefit. Treatment may be necessary prior to confirmation of diagnosis, based on high clinical suspicion and risk scoring. Other causes of chest pain should be considered once the immediately life-threatening conditions are excluded.
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- Section 1 ICU organization and management
- Section 2 Pharmacotherapeutics
- Section 3 Resuscitation
- Section 4 The respiratory system
- Section 5 The cardiovascular system
- Part 5.1 Physiology
- Part 5.2 Cardiovascular monitoring
- Part 5.3 Acute chest pain and coronary syndromes
- Chapter 144 Causes and diagnosis of chest pain
- Chapter 145 Pathophysiology of coronary syndromes
- Chapter 146 Diagnosis and management of non-STEMI coronary syndromes
- Chapter 147 Diagnosis and management of ST-elevation of myocardial infarction
- Part 5.4 Aortic dissection
- Part 5.5 The hypotensive patient
- Part 5.6 Cardiac failure
- Part 5.7 Tachyarrhythmias
- Part 5.8 Bradyarrhythmias
- Part 5.9 Valvular problems
- Part 5.10 Endocarditis
- Part 5.11 Severe hypertension
- Part 5.12 Severe capillary leak
- Part 5.13 Pericardial tamponade
- Part 5.14 Pulmonary hypertension
- Part 5.15 Pulmonary embolus
- Section 6 The gastrointestinal system
- Section 7 Nutrition
- Section 8 The renal system
- Section 9 The neurological system
- Section 10 The metabolic and endocrine systems
- Section 11 The haematological system
- Section 12 The skin and connective tissue
- Section 13 Infection
- Section 14 Inflammation
- Section 15 Poisoning
- Section 16 Trauma
- Section 17 Physical disorders
- Section 18 Pain and sedation
- Section 19 General surgical and obstetric intensive care
- Section 20 Specialized intensive care
- Section 21 Recovery from critical illness
- Section 22 End-of-life care