Radiology Rounds - June 2005 - Nuclear Cardiology Stress Tests for Cronary Artery Disease

When patients present with chest pain, clinical examination and patient history are fundamental to determine the probable cause of pain and the selection of appropriate tests to confirm clinical suspicions. In the case of myocardial ischemia due to coronary artery disease (CAD), the patient often but not always presents with the classical symptoms, chest tightness and left arm pain. However, cardiac symptoms may be similar to indigestion, muscle spasm, or other nonspecific complaints. Nevertheless, other causes of chest pain that do not have cardiac origin, including pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax and aortic dissection must always be considered.