Caracterización del dolor torácico agudo en pacientes del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández. Matanzas / Characterization of acute chest pain in patients of the Teaching Clinic- Surgical Hospital Comandante Faustino Perez Hernandez. Matanzas

RESUMEN Introducción: el dolor torácico agudo es una sensación dolorosa que se manifiesta entre el diafragma y la base del cuello. En Cuba, constituye una de las causas más frecuentes de consulta médica. La provincia de Matanzas muestra un comportamiento similar. Objetivo: caracterizar el perfil clínico de los pacientes con dolor torácico agudo en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Emergentes, del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez Hernández, de Matanzas. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal descriptivo con las historias clínicas de 418 pacientes que acudieron a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Emergentes, refiriendo dolor torácico agudo, de enero a diciembre de 2019. Resultados: el rango de edad más afectado fue el de 50 a 59 años, para un 30,38 %. Predominó el sexo masculino con el 30,08 %. El ejercicio físico intenso elevó el riesgo de aparición de dolor torácico. Las primeras causas de dolor torácico agudo fueron, en orden de frecuencia, la osteocondritis esternocostal, la bursitis del hombro y el síndrome coronario agudo. Conclusiones: se evidenció que en la mayoría de los casos el origen del dolor fueron causas no cardiovasculares, afectando más al sexo masculino. Existió asociación estadística significativa entre la actividad física intensa y el inicio del dolor torácico agudo. Egresaron vivos de la unidad el 71,53 % de los pacientes. Se recomienda priorizar la atención de los pacientes que refieren dolor torácico agudo, para una correcta clasificación y atención en el menor tiempo posible (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: acute chest pain is a painful sensation perceptible between the diaphragm and the base of the neck. It is one of the most frequent causes of medical consultation in Cuba. It shows a similar behavior in the province of Matanzas. Objective: to characterize the clinical profile of the patients with acute thoracic pain in the Emergency Intensive Care Unit of the Teaching Clinic-Surgical Hospital Comandante Faustino Perez Hernandez, of Matanzas. Materials and methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out with the clinical records of 418 patients who attended the Emergency Intensive Care Unit referring acute thoracic pain, from January to December 2019. Results: the most affected age range was the one from 50 to 59 years, for 30.38 %. Male sex predominated, with 30.08 %. Intense physical exercise raised the risk of thoracic pain. The first causes of acute thoracic pain were, in order of frequency, sternocostal osteochondritis, shoulder bursitis, and acute coronary syndrome. Conclusions: It was evidenced that in most of the cases the source of the pain was non-cardiovascular causes, more affecting the male sex. There was significant statistic association between intense physical activity and acute thoracic pain. 71.53 % of the patients was discharged from the unit alive. It is recommended to prioritize the attention of patients referring acute thoracic pain, for their correct classification and care in the shortest possible time (AU).

The use of assistance flow by nurses to the patient with chest pain: facilities and difficulties / Utilización por enfermeros del flujo asistencial al paciente con dolor torácico: facilidades y dificultades / Utilização por enfermeiros do fluxo assistencial ao paciente com dor torácica: facilidades e dificuldades

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the facilities and difficulties in the use by nurses of the care flow for patients with chest pain. Methods: descriptive analytical study, with a qualitative approach, conducted with 17 nurses from an emergency care unit in a municipality of the State of Ceara, in 2018. Data collected through documents and interviews, analyzed in a descriptive manner, in absolute and relative frequencies and through content analysis thematic. Results: the use of assistance flow streamlines the process of transferring to referral units, reducing serious and lethal complications in the patient. It considers teamwork and communication as facilitating points in the care of patients with chest pain. The lack of permanent education, physical structure, equipment, transport delay and patient regulation as factors that hamper. Final considerations: investments in physical structure and equipment, in the reorganization of the care network and in permanent education to enable benefits to the service of excellence in health care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las facilidades y dificultades en la utilización por enfermeros del flujo asistencial al paciente con dolor torácico. Métodos: Estudio analítico descriptivo, con abordaje cualitativo, realizado con 17 enfermeros de unidad de atención de emergencia de Ceará, en 2018. Datos recogidos por documentos y entrevistas, analizados de forma descriptiva, en frecuencias absolutas y relativas y por análisis de contenido temático. Resultados: La utilización del flujo asistencial agiliza el proceso de transferencia a las unidades de referencias, disminuyendo complicaciones graves y letales en el paciente. Consideran el trabajo en equipo y la comunicación como puntos facilitadores en atención al paciente con dolor torácico. Factores dificultadores: la falta de educación permanente, estructura física, equipamientos, atraso de transporte y regulación del paciente. Consideraciones finales: Son necesarios inversiones en estructura física y equipamientos; reorganización de red de atención; y educación permanente para posibilitar beneficios al servicio de excelencia en el cuidado en salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as facilidades e dificuldades na utilização por enfermeiros do fluxo assistencial ao paciente com dor torácica. Métodos: Estudo analítico descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com 17 enfermeiros de uma unidade de pronto atendimento de um município cearense, em 2018. Dados coletados por documentos e entrevistas, analisados de forma descritiva, em frequências absolutas e relativas e pela análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: A utilização do fluxo assistencial agiliza o processo de transferência às unidades de referências, diminuindo complicações graves e letais no paciente. Consideram-se o trabalho em equipe e a comunicação como pontos facilitadores no atendimento ao paciente com dor torácica. Fatores dificultadores: a falta de educação permanente, estrutura física, equipamentos, atraso de transporte e regulação do paciente. Considerações finais: São necessários investimentos na estrutura física e equipamentos; reorganização da rede de atenção; e educação permanente para possibilitar benefícios ao serviço de excelência no cuidado em saúde.

Dor torácica na sala de emergência: quem fica e quem pode ser liberado? / Chest pain in the emergency room: who is left and who can be released?

A dor torácica aguda é um sintoma muito frequente nas unidades de emergência, constituindo-se em um possível sinal de alerta para as doenças com risco iminente de morte. Como a maioria desses pacientes é internada para avaliação de uma possível síndrome coronariana aguda, isso gera um custo hospitalar muito alto por paciente. Por conta dessa possibilidade diagnóstica, muitos emergencistas internam a maioria dos pacientes. Por outro lado, a liberação inapropriada daqueles com infarto agudo do miocárdio representa um risco para o médico e, especialmente, para o paciente. Outro ponto importante é a demora para o atendimento, em que há a influência de fatores relacionados ao paciente, assim como, pontos negativos na logística de atendimento dos serviços de emergência em nosso país. Para excelência no atendimento, é importante uma anamnese detalhada adicionada ao exame físico, a qual permite a elaboração das hipóteses diagnósticas. E para auxiliar os médicos na escolha da hipótese diagnóstica e na tomada rápida de decisão, escores de risco são disponibilizados, os quais, facilmente, identificam a probabilidade de eventos adversos. A conduta imediata de casos com risco de morte imediata tem como principal objetivo reduzir a morbidade e a mortalidade, aumentando, consequentemente, a segurança do profissional da emergência. Sugestões de fluxogramas e algoritmos para o atendimento desses pacientes na sala de emergência definem, de forma objetiva, quem fica e quem pode ser liberado

Acute chest pain is a frequent symptom in emergency units, being a possible war-ning sign of diseases with an imminent risk of death. Since most of these patients are hospitalized to evaluate possible acute coronary syndrome, this generates a very high hospital cost per patient. Because of this diagnostic possibility, emergency professionals admit most patients. In contrast, the inappropriate release of those with acute myocardial infarction poses a risk to the physician and, especially, the patient. Another important point is the delay in care, where there is an influence of patient-related factors, as well as negative points in the logistics of care in the emergency services in our country. For excellence in care, a detailed anamnesis added to the examination is important, allowing the elaboration of diagnostic hypotheses. Moreover, to assist physicians in selecting the diagnostic hypothesis and making fast decisions, there are risk scores that easily identify the likelihood of adverse events. The immediate management of cases with an imminent risk of death is the main objective to reduce morbidity and mortality and, consequently, increase the safety of emergency professionals. Flowcharts and algorithm suggestions targeting patients in the emergency room objectively define who stays and who can be released

Dolor precordial en pediatría: puesta al día / Precordial pain in pediatrics: update

El dolor precordial en pediatría representa un bajo porcentaje del total de consultas, sin embargo genera una alta preocupación tanto en los padres como en el equipo de salud. En general se trata de un proceso benigno y la etiología cardíaca es infrecuente, alcanzando apenas el 1-4%. En el presente trabajo de actualización se revisan las diferentes etiologías, con el propósito de identificar factores que orienten a etiología cardíaca y así derivar al especialista u hospitalizar en forma oportuna si se requiere.

The chest pain in pediatrics represents a low percentage of the total of consultations, nevertheless it generates a high concern both in the parents and in the health team. In general, it is a benign process and the cardiac etiology is infrequent, reaching only 1-4%. In the present update work, the different etiologies are reviewed, in order to identify factors that guide the cardiac etiology and thus refer to the specialist or hospitalize in a timely manner if required.

Dolor torácico y hemotórax como presentación atípica de secuestro pulmonar en adulto / Chest pain and hemothorax: an atypical presentation of a pulmonary sequestration

Resumen El secuestro pulmonar es una malformación pulmonar rara, presentándose generalmente en edades tempranas. Se presenta mayoritariamente con neumonías e infecciones repetidas, distrés respiratorio y falla cardíaca; raramente en pacientes de mayor edad se presenta con hemoptisis y dolor torácico. En este artículo se describe el caso clínico de un paciente de 60 años de edad que se presenta con un infarto de un secuestro pulmonar y hemotórax.

Bronchopulmonary sequestration is a rare pulmonary malformation, usually occurring at an early age. It presents mainly with pneumonia and repetitive infections, respiratory distress and heart failure; rarely in aged patients presents with hemoptysis and chest pain. This article describes the clinical case of a 60-year-old male patient who presented an ischemic pulmonary sequestration and hemothorax.

Diagnóstico das síndromes coronarianas agudas e modelo sistematizado de atendimento emunidades de dor torácica / Diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome and systematic model in chest pain services

A dor torácica é o sintoma que leva o paciente ao serviço de emergência e, nesse contexto,é fundamental que se faça o diagnóstico de uma síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA). Aavaliação adequada das características dos sintomas e a realização imediata de eletrocardiogramano atendimento inicial permitem o diagnóstico e, na maioria das vezes, apontamo melhor tratamento. Pelo eletrocardiograma podemos prontamente estabelecer o diagnóstico de SCA com supra de ST, que caracteriza infarto agudo do miocárdio e orienta parao tratamento de reperfusão o quanto antes. A ausência desse achado eletrocardiográfico caracteriza SCA sem supra de ST, que requer melhor definição prognóstica. Os marcadores de necrose miocárdica contribuem para melhor definição diagnóstica e estratificação de risco desses pacientes. Para aqueles cujos aspectos clínicos fazem suspeitar de quadrode isquemia aguda do miocárdio, mas que não apresentam um traçado eletrocardiográfico e marcadores de necrose com alterações suficientes para um diagnóstico mais definitivo, os testes isquêmicos não invasivos como o teste ergométrico, o ecocardiograma ou acintilografia de perfusão miocárdica, de repouso ou de esforço ou ainda com estresse farmacológico, podem contribuir tanto para o diagnóstico, quanto para a estratificaçãode risco. Mais recentemente, com a angiotomografia das coronárias ou com protocolos de atendimento de curta duração que utilizam troponinas de alta sensibilidade, podemos confirmar a presença de SCA ou afastá-la com segurança, reduzindo significativamente a permanência hospitalar desses pacientes...

Chest pain is the symptom that brings the patient to the emergency department and in this context, it is essential to make the diagnosis of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Proper evaluation of the characteristics of the symptoms and the immediate realization of an electrocardiogram in the initial care allow the diagnosis and, in most cases, indicate the best treatment. The electrocardiogram can readily establish the diagnosis of ACS with STelevation, featuring acute myocardial infarction, and guides for the treatment of reperfusionas soon as possible. The absence of this electrocardiographic finding is compatible with an ACS without ST elevation, which requires better prognostic definition. Myocardial necrosis markers contribute to better diagnostic definition and risk stratification of these patients. For those whose clinical aspects lead to suspicion of acute myocardial ischemia, but do not have an electrocardiographic tracing and necrosis markers with enough change for a more definitive diagnosis, non-invasive ischemic tests such as exercise test, echocardiography or stress-rest myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, or pharmacologic stress can contribute to both the diagnosis and the risk stratification. More recently, with CT angiography of the coronaryor with short-term treatment protocols using high-sensitivity troponins, we can confirm the presence of ACS or rule out it safely, significantly reducing the hospital stay of these patients...

Surfactant Protein A Expression in Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Atrophic Rhinitis

Introduction Surfactant protein A (SP-A) exhibits antimicrobial properties and interacts with a variety of respiratory tract pathogens. Objective The objective of this study was to detect the presence of SP-A and measure its alterations in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and primary atrophic rhinitis (PAR) versus healthy controls. Methods Inferior turbinate and sinus mucosal biopsies were taken from 30 patients with CRS, 30 patients with PAR, and 20 healthy controls. Immunohistochemical staining for SP-A and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of SP-A messenger RNA were performed on nasal tissue samples. Results Immunostaining localized SP-A to the mucosa and submucosal glands in CRS specimens but failed to localize it in PAR specimens. Quantitative PCR showed a high, statistically significant increase in the SP-A levels of patients with CRS when compared with controls (p < 0.0001) and also demonstrated a significant reduction of SP-A in patients with PAR compared with controls (p < 0.005). Conclusion SP-A is significantly increased in CRS and decreased significantly in PAR and appears to be expressed by respiratory epithelial cells and submucosal glandular elements of the sinonasal mucosa. The potential therapeutic applications of surfactant in the enhancement of mucociliary clearance need to be studied. .

Dolor torácico en el Servicio de Urgencia / Chest pain in urgency service

According to the literature, chest pain corresponds to an estimate of 5 to 9 percent of presenting complaints in Emergency Departments (ED) in the United States. In spite of the high rate of admission, there is still a 0,4 to 4 percent of patients who are discharged from an ED with a missed Acute Myocardial Infarction. Diagnostic etiologies range from benign to life-threatening conditions, so there is the need for a clinical approach that is both safe and cost-effective. The diagnostic strategies are based on three elements: anamnesis and physical examination, Electrocardiography and chest X-ray. This article presents an Emergency Medicine-oriented perspective in the hopes of offering to the physician a strategie focused in ruling out life-threatening conditions in the first place and then define patient disposition in an efficient and safe manner...

Can computerized tomographic angiography be used to triage patients with chest pain presenting to the emergency department?

To confirm the findings of Computerized Tomography Angiography by invasive angiography. This comparative study on 50 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were admitted in cardiology ward. Then they were shifted to catheterization lab of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar for invasive angiography and segmental analysis of all four vessels i.e. right coronary, left coronary circumflex and left anterior descending artery was done. A total of 50 patients were studied both with CT angio and invasive angio and 750 segments were analyzed for the 4 main arteries that is LMS, LAD, RCA and Circumflex. The sensitivity of CT angiography for the LMS was 87.5%, Specificity 100%, PPV 100% and NPV 97.6%, PPV was 100% and NPV was also 100%. Similarly the diagnostic accuracy of CT angiography for the circumflex was sensitivity 100%, PPV 100% and NPV 97.91 to 100%. For RCA the sensitivity was from 60 to 100%, specificity 100%, PPV 100% and NPV 95 to 100%. Coronary CT angio with the highest resolution scanners could be a suitable means for rapid triage of patients presenting to emergency departments with chest pain and for evaluation of patients with equivocal stress test results who might otherwise need invasive angiography

Dor torácica e disfagia decorrentes de escleroterapia de varizes esofágicas: estudo de 14 casos / Chest pain and dysphagia due to sclerotherapy of esophageal varices: study of 14 cases

Introdução - A esclerose endoscópica (EE) de varizes esofágicas é largamente utilizada para prevenção do ressangramento varicoso, mas há relatos inconsistentes sobre dor torácica e disfagia relacionadas ao procedimento. Materiais e metodologia - Foram estudados prospectivamente 14 portadores de cirrose hepática,hipertensão portal e varizes do esôfago, que já haviam apresentado episódio(s) de sangramento. Todos foram submetidos a exame endoscópico, antes da EE, para aferir as varizes, e cerca de três meses depois da EE, para listar complicações do procedimento. Em cada cordão varicoso eram realizadas injeções intravasais de 2 a 5ml de oleato de etanolamina a 2,5%, a intervalos de 2cm, até a eliminação das varizes, respeitando olimite de 20 a 30ml/sessão e cerca de 15 dias de intervalo entre as sessões. A cada sessão de EE e depois do final do tratamento, questionava-se sobre presença de disfagia e dor retrosternal. Resultados - Foram necessárias de duas a quatro sessões de escleroterapia para a eliminação das varizes, no tempo médio de 1,6± 0,71 meses. Ao exame endoscópico efetuado 3,07 ± 0,17 meses depois do final da EE, as varizes estavam erradicadas em todos os pacientes e não foram constatadas complicações em oito casos. Quatro pacientes apresentavam úlceras esofágicas superficiais, de aspecto isquêmico, em fase final de cicatrização, enquanto outros dois também mostravam sinéquias, de fácil desfazimento. Durante o período de EE, foram freqüentes as queixas de disfagia e dor retrosternal de moderada intensidade, mas, depois de cerca de três meses do finalda EE, dez pacientes estavam assintomáticos, os outros mantendo sintomas leves e fugazes. Conclusões –Dor torácica e disfagia são queixas atribuíveis à escleroterapia de varizes esofágicas, manifestando-se principalmente entre as sessões do procedimento; aos três meses de seguimento, não são mais queixas relevantes.

Introduction - The endoscopic sclerosis (ES) of the esophageal varices is broadly employed to prevent new variceal bleedings, but there are inconsistent reports about chest pain and dysphagia related to the procedure. Materials and methodology – Fourteen cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension and at least one bleeding occurrence were prospectively studied. They were submitted to an endoscopic exam previous to ES to evaluate the varices and around three months after the procedure to list its complications. 2-5 mL intravasal injections of 2.5% ethanolamine sulfate were applied at each 2 cm cranially in each varix reaching 20-30 mL persession at about 15-day intervals. In each ES session and after the end of the treatment, all the patients were inquired focusing the presence or not of chest pain and dysphagia. Results – After 2-4 sessions, in anaverage time of 1.6± 0.71 months, the varices was eliminated. The endoscopic exam realized 3.07 ± 0.17months from the end of the program showed that the varices remained eradicated and no complications were observed in eight cases. Superficial ischemic ulcers were seen in six patients, accompanied of some thin fibrous adherences in two of them, easily ruptured with the endoscope. Moderate chest pain and dysphagia were frequently reported during the ES sessions, but ten patients were asymptomatic around three months from the end of the treatment, the others presenting only inconstant and slight symptoms. Conclusions –Chest pain and dysphagia can be reported mainly among the sessions of the programmed variceal sclerotherapy,but often are abolished three months later.

Dor torácica não-cardiogênica: [revisão] / Non-cardiac chest pain: [review]

CONTEXTO: Dor torácica não-cardiogênica ou dor torácica funcional é síndrome clínica com elevada prevalência no mundo ocidental, podendo estar presente entre 15 por cento a 30 por cento dos pacientes com coronariografias normais. Tem importante impacto na qualidade de vida dos pacientes e associa-se com considerável aumento da utilização dos serviços de saúde. FONTES DE INFORMAÇÃO: Para esta revisão, foram utilizadas as seguintes bases de dados: Medline, the Cochrane Library, LILACS e livros nacionais. Das publicações dos últimos 5 anos foram selecionadas fontes relevantes como artigos originais, artigos de revisão, consensos, diretrizes e revisões sistemáticas de literatura com meta-análise. Publicações relevantes anteriores ao período de tempo analisado, foram também incluídas. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídas 44 publicações, sendo 28 artigos originais, 12 trabalhos de revisão, 2 diretrizes, 1 meta-análise e 1 consenso. CONCLUSÕES: A dor torácica não-cardiogênica abrange a investigação do trato digestório, do aparelho musculoesquelético, do aparelho respiratório e de distúrbios psicológicos. O objetivo do tratamento é o alívio ou eliminação do sintoma e deve estar voltado para o principal mecanismo gerador. A base do tratamento é medicamentosa, entretanto, pode ser necessária intervenção de natureza psicológica e, nos pacientes com acalásia a terapia endoscópica ou cirúrgica. Considerando-se que a maioria dos pacientes apresentarão causas relacionadas ao esôfago, sendo as principais, a doença do refluxo gastroesofágico e distúrbios motores, as principais medicações utilizadas no controle da dor torácica não-cardiogênica são os inibidores da bomba de prótons e os antidepressivos tricíclicos. Recentemente, novas modalidades diagnósticas e também formas de tratamento, tais como, a injeção por endoscopia de toxina botulínica no esôfago e a hipnose, estão em investigação e algumas poderão ocupar lugar no cenário do tratamento destes pacientes.

CONTEXT: Non-cardiac chest pain or functional chest pain is a syndrome with high prevalence in ocidental world. Findings on 15 percent-30 percent of coronary angiograms performed in patients with chest pain are normal. Causes significant impact in quality of life of patients and is associated with increased use of the health care facilities. DATA SOURCES: To this review the following data base were accessed: Medline, the Cochrane Library, LILACS. The limit was the last 5 years publications and were selected relevant original articles, reviews, consensus, guidelines and meta-analysis. RESULTS: Forty-four papers were selected, 28 original articles, 12 reviews, 2 guidelines, 1 consensus and 1 meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Exclusion of cardiac disease is of crucial importance. On the other hand non-cardiac chest pain could be related to gastrointestinal, muscular and respiratory causes and/or psychological disturbances. Treatment aims to attack mechanism generator in order to relieve or to eliminate symptoms. Drugs are the cornerstone of treatment, exception to achalasia patients because those have better response to dilation of the esophagus or surgery, and to those who need intensive pyschological therapy. The most important drugs used are proton pump inhibitors and triciclic antidepressants, the latter, to modulate central signal process (visceral hypersensitivity) and autonomic response. Recently, new diagnostic facilities, and also therapeutic modalities, such as esophageal botulin toxin injection and hypnosis are under investigations. In the near future, maybe some of them would take a place in the therapeutic scenario of these patients.

Depressão maior em pacientes com dor torácica não cardíaca: quem vai tratar? / Major depression in patients with non-cardiac chest pain: who is going to treat?

OBJETIVO: Investigar a presença de transtornos psiquiátricos em pacientes com dor torácica de origem não cardíaca que não respondem aos tratamentos regulares. MÉTODO: Dezoito pacientes com dor torácica sem origem cardíaca e considerados por seus clínicos como não respondentes aos tratamentos regulares instituídos foram avaliados por um psiquiatra treinado. As entrevistas foram realizadas com base no Present State Examination e os diagnósticos psiquiá-tricos, de acordo com os critérios do Manual de Diagnóstico e Estatística da Associação Psiquiátrica Americana, 3ª Edição Revisada (DSM-III-R). RESULTADOS: Depressão maior no momento da avaliação foi diagnosticada em 6 (30 por cento) pacientes, somatização em 1 (6 por cento) e transtorno do pânico em 1 (6 por cento) paciente. Sete pacientes estavam recebendo antidepressivos tricíclicos com doses < 75 mg/dia. CONCLUSÕES: A baixa dose de ADTs usadas para o tratamento da dor nesses pacientes pode ter melhorado parcialmente os sintomas depressivos, tornando mais difíceis o diagnóstico e o tratamento apropriado(s) da depressão e, assim, contribuindo para a persistência da dor e outras queixas. As futuras pesquisas deverão focalizar a eficácia do tratamento da depressão nesses pacientes e o impacto deste no alívio da dor torácica não cardíaca.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of psychiatric disorders in patients with chest pain not responsive to treatment. METHOD: We evaluated 18 patients judged by their physicians to have a chest pain not responsive to usual treatment, which included anti-pain medicines and investigation and treatment of possible etiological causes such as coronary artery disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. A psychiatrist interviewed the patients using the Present State Examination and made the diagnosis based on the DSM-III-R criteria. Current major depression was diagnosed in 6 (30 percent) patients, somatization in 1 (6 percent) and panic disorder in 1 (6 percent) patient. Seven patients were receiving tricyclics antidepressant with doses > 75 mg/day. DISCUSSION: Patients were receiving doses of tricyclics antidepressants efficacious for pain but not for major depression. It is possible that the low dose of antidepressants used to treat pain may partially ameliorate depressive symptoms, making the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of major depression even more difficult, consequently contributing to the persistence of pain and other complains. Considering the wide alternatives to effectively treat depression, a focus on detection and treatment of major depression in patients with chest pain is warranted by clinicians and researchers.

Dolor torácico no cardiaco / Non-cardiac chest pain

El dolor torácico no - cardíaco es una condición relativamente frecuente, que se diagnostica después de una evaluación cardiológica dirigida a las coronarias ha resultado normal. El reflujo gastroesofágico ácido es la causa más frecuente del dolor torácico no cardíaco, y se interpreta como un aumento en la sensibilidad visceral con mucosa hipersensible a la irritación, y potenciada por el estrés. Menos frecuentes son los trastornos motores del esófago como el espasmo difuso del esófago que también se asocia al estrés emocional. Un enfoque terapéutico simple inicial puede ser la administración de inhibidores de la bomba de protones, por un periodo. Si no hay respuesta está indicado efectuar una manometría esofágica y monitoreo por 24 horas del pH intraesofágico. El tratamiento farmacológico está comandado por los hallazgos de estos tests.

Non-cardiac chest pain is a relatively common condition diagnosed following a normal cardiac and coronary evaluation. Abnormal gastro-esophageal acid reflux is the most common condition associated to non - cardiac chest pain. It has been related to visceral hypersensitivity of the esophageal mucosa. Esophageal motility disorders such as diffuse esophageal spasm also relates to stress are less common. An initial simple therapeutic approach is to indicate proton pump inhibitors for a few days. If there is no relief, esophageal manometry and a 24 hour monitoring intra-esophageal pH are indicated.

role of nurses in pain management of cornary heart diseases, in Sabzevar, Iran

Chest pain is one of the most important and prevalent symptom in coroner artery diseases, in which the nurse has the key role in its management. This study was done to achieve the objective of assessment of the nurse's role in pain management in patients involved in coronery artery diseases. This descriptive study was done by the use of convenience sampling method in Vassaii hospital in Sabzevar city. 95 instances of chest pain were assessed by the nursed participated. In the research project. The tools used was a researcher_made check list and the nurse's role in different aspects, including the assessment of pain, relieve measures and reevaluating of the pain was studied. All the observations was recheck by third person. The Khowledge and perception of the nurses involved this research was studied by another technique prepared. The most of the nurses put priority assessement on the location of pain and the assessment of other features of the pain did not get much attention, for assessing the verbal pain, the use of verbal descriptive was the main method and no one used the visual analog scale in pain intensity. In 92.6% of the instances the nurses practiced to relieve the pain and in most instances [96.8%] medication was used. The findings showed that in 41.1% instances, no specific reassessment was practiced. This study showed that altough the most nurses are aware of their part in relieving the patients pain but they do not fulfill this role in pain mamagement specially in assessing and reevaluating the pain

[Non cardiac chest pain and gastroesophageal reflux disease pathophysiology, diagnosis methods and therapeutic approach]

Non cardiac chest pain is a frequent symptom in general population. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the first cause of chest pain without cardiac etiology. This review aimed to determine the specific mechanisms for esophageal-induced chest pain, to evaluate the results of the available methods of diagnosis, and to precise the therapeutic options in these patients. Literature Review. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most frequent etiology of "DTPA" .The mecanism of pathogemy is complex. After eliminatring coronary disease, diagnosis is based on esophagus phmetry and markers. Therapeutic test with PPI would be an alternative option to phmcttry. Treatment is based on PPI with appropriate dose and duration. Surgical treatement is indicated only for selected patients

A dor torácica em mulheres no atendimento de emergência: conduta e evolução / Chest pain in women in the emergency room: management and evolution

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o diagnóstico de dor torácica em mulheres atendidas em um serviço de emergência em relação à evolução clínica, descrevendo sua influência sobre o manejo terapêutico, quando comparadas aos homens. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte contemporâneo, comparando 67 pacientes entre 50 e 65 anos (35 mulheres e 32 homens) atendidos de forma consecutiva por dor torácica na sala de emergência (SE) e acompanhados por 120 dias. Os desfechos avaliados foram: diagnóstico de infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM), angina instável (AI), angina estável (AE), isquemia cerebral, cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica (CRM), angioplastia (ACTP), morte e hospitalizações. RESULTADOS: Na SE, não houve diferença significativa relacionada ao sexo quanto aos exames realizados para diagnóstico da dor torácica; entretanto, proporcionalmente, as mulheres receberam menos medicação cardiológica e mais tranqüilizantes. Ao término do atendimento na SE, as mulheres foram significativamente menos hospitalizadas (p=0,02). Na evolução clínica posterior, não houve diferença entre os dois sexos quanto à ocorrência de IAM, AI, AE, isquemia cerebral, CRM, ACTP e morte. CONCLUSÃO: Comparando a acurácia diagnóstica da dor torácica na SE entre mulheres e homens, não houve diferença significativa quanto ao número de exames realizados, mas a hospitalização foi menos indicada e o manejo terapêutico cardiológico foi menos intenso entre o sexo feminino. A evolução clínica evidenciou incidência igual de desfechos entre os dois sexos, o que sinaliza para a necessidade de atenção ao sintoma dor torácica independentemente do sexo.