Open AccessThe puzzle of normal coronary arteries in the patient with chest pain: What to do?
Author(s) -
E. Assey Michael
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960160304
Subject(s) - medicine , chest pain , cardiac catheterization , cardiology , coronary artery disease , coronary arteries , cardiac syndrome x , vascular disease , artery , myocardial infarction , angina
Over one million Americans undergo cardiac catheterization each year because of chest pain, with the expectation that coronary artery disease will be found. However, up to 30%—a subgroup that includes patients with both cardiac and noncardiac pathology—will have angiographically normal coronary arteries. While the prognosis of the group as a whole is excellent, successful management requires a clear understanding of the multiple and varied conditions that can cause this syndrome.