Chest pain.

The accurate diagnosis of chest pain is often difficult. We review the differential diagnosis of chest pain and the diagnostic studies used in the evaluation of chest pain syndromes. Myocardial ischemia, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, pericarditis, and gastroenterologic sources of chest pain are the most common. The chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, heart catheterization studies, and esophageal studies are helpful diagnostically.