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Noncardiac chest pain of esophageal origin

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Opinion Statement

Cardiac and musculoskeletal disease should be excluded before considering an esophageal etiology for chest pain.

Acid reflux is a common cause of chest pain and should be identified and treated. A therapeutic trial should consist of a proton pump inhibitor (omeprazole 20 mg or lanzoprazole 30 mg) given one or two times per day for at least 6 to 8 weeks. An alternative is to use an ambulatory pH study to confirm reflux. Also, if the patient fails the initial treatment, reflux should be confirmed with pH testing before increasing the dose of proton pump inhibitor or considering combination or surgical therapy.

Esophageal manometry should be considered in patients with chest pain and dysphagia. It is also reasonable to perform manometry before a pH study since manometric localization of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is needed to ensure accurate pH probe placement.

Only after manometric confirmation of a spastic esophageal motility disorder should patients be treated for esophageal spasm. In these patients, it is reasonable to try a long-acting formulation of a calcium-channel blocker or nitrate.

Patients with chest pain who have a negative cardiac evaluation and who do not have reflux may have an abnormality in esophageal or cardiac sensation. These patients should be treated with a trial of an antidepressant and considered for referral to a mental health practitioner.

All medication trials should continue at least 6 to 8 weeks to avoid a placebo effect and to allow adequate time for a therapeutic response.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, 4500 San Pablo Road, 32224, Jacksonville, Florida

    Kenneth R. DeVault MD, FACG & Sami R. Achem MD, FACG, FACP

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  1. Kenneth R. DeVault MD, FACG
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  2. Sami R. Achem MD, FACG, FACP
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DeVault, K.R., Achem, S.R. Noncardiac chest pain of esophageal origin. Curr Treat Options Gastro 1, 49–55 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-998-0008-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11938-998-0008-8

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