Chest pain resident survival guide
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Definition
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that is felt anywhere along the front of the body between the neck and the upper abdomen.
Causes
Immediate Life Threatening Causes
Immediate life threatening causes are conditions which result in immediate death or disability if left untreated.
Other Common Causes
- Biliary colic
- Costochondritis
- Cocaine induced coronary vasospasm
- Esophageal spasm
- GERD
- Myocardial infarction
- Panic attacks
- Pneumonia
- Stable angina
Management
Please find below an algorithm that summarizes the approach to chest pain.
Check vital signs Stabilize the patient Order an EKG Obtain a concise history and physical exam | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assess EKG | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EKG consistent with ACS | EKG not consistent with ACS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Order a CXR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
STEMI Revascularization | NSTEMI Risk stratification | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
pneumothorax | Aortic dissection | No significant findings on CXR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Control BP Obtain a CT scan Emergent surgery consult | Assess the pretest probability for pulmonary embolism | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||