Chest Pain with Normal Coronary Angiograms: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management

The problem of chest pain with normal coronary arteriograms ("syndrome X") continues to represent a major challenge to contemporary cardiology. Progress has been made in recent years regarding the pathophysiology and management of this condition; however, information contained in the medical journals continues to be conflicting and controversial. This volume brings together leading authorities in the fields of chest pain and microvascular dysfunction. This book addresses specifically the cardiac causes of chest pain with normal coronary arteriograms and also the various extra-cardiac mechanisms known to play a role, including esophageal abnormalities, psychological conditions and the recently described "metabolic syndrome X". The text provides a comprehensive clinical and pathophysiological review of syndrome X. The whole spectrum of the syndrome is explored, including clinical features, mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.