Chest pain with normal coronary angiograms
Article Abstract:
Some patients may continue to experience angina-like chest pain despite a normal coronary angiogram and no evidence of obstructive coronary disease. The cause of pain in these patients remains controversial, and physicians are often confused about the diagnosis and treatment of these individuals. A research study found that treatment with acetylcholine caused a smaller increase in coronary blood flow in patients with chest pain and a normal coronary angiogram than in healthy individuals. Acetylcholine is an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, a substance that causes dilation of blood vessels. The endothelium is the membrane that lines the inside of blood vessels. Chest pain of unknown cause may be caused by an abnormality in the endothelium of the coronary arteries in some individuals.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1993
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Sympathetic cardioneuropathy in dysautonomias
Article Abstract:
A classification of dysautonomias is proposed based on the uptake of radiolabelled fluorodopamine by the heart. Dysautonomias are characterized by a failure of the autonomic nervous system. However, symptoms and treatment may vary depending on whether the sympathetic or parasympathetic system is involved. Researchers used radiolabelled intravenous fluorodopamine and PET scanning in 26 patients with various dysautonomias to analyze the flow of the chemical through the heart. Results indicate that this technique can classify patients better than older systems.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1997
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Assessing risk in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Article Abstract:
Doctors could measure blood flow through the coronary arteries of patients with a heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to determine which patients should have an implantable defibrillator to prevent sudden death. A study published in 2003 showed that many patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy had reduced blood flow in their coronary arteries. Those with the slowest blood flow were most likely to die prematurely.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2003
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