The ergonovine test with injection of increasing doses in the diagnosis of chest pain
Lejeune, D.; Melange, M.; Schroeder, E.; Marchandise, B.; Kremer, R.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique 13(2): 182-187
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0399-8320 PMID: 2707525 Document Number: 341054
Ergonovine testing was performed in 40 patients with normal coronary angiograms (24 men, 16 women, mean age 53 years) complaining of chest pain. Esophageal and coronary spasm were assessed by simultaneous esophageal manometry, 12-lead-EKG and myocardial scintigraphy. Progressive doses of ergonovine were injected. Of the 17 patients experiencing chest pain during testing, coronary spasm occurred in 3 and esophageal motor disorders in 7 (peristaltic contraction waves of high amplitude in 3, diffuse esophageal spasm in 4). The dose necessary was more than 0.175 mg. No objective changes (EKG and manometry) were observed in the 7 remaining patients.