Does esophageal dysfunction affect the course of treadmill stress test in patients with recurrent angina-like chest pain?

INTRODUCTION: Cardioesophageal reflex may increase severity of chest pain and signs of myocardial ischemia on electrocardiogram (ECG), both in patients with and without significant coronary artery stenosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationships between esophageal pH and pressure and clinical and electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 129 consecutive patients with recurrent chest pain, 77 without significant coronary artery lesions in coronary angiography and 52 with myocardial ischemia, panendoscopy, pH-metry, manometry, and treadmill stress test were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of esophageal disorders was similar in patients with and without significant coronary artery narrowing. Subjects with significant ST interval depression in the stress test had a higher rate of simultaneous esophageal contractions. There were no differences in the results of the treadmill test between patients with and without esophageal disorders. Forty percent of patients with significant coronary artery lesions, who had to stop the test because of chest pain, did not present significant ST interval depression on ECG; however, such depression was observed in 60% of patients with normal coronary angiography. Patients with exercise-provoked chest pain had more pronounced abnormalities in esophageal pH, together with the amplitude and coordination of esophageal contractions. Demographic and clinical factors associated with chest pain and changes in exercise ECG were not evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal disorders are an important cause of chest pain, potentially affecting the results of the treadmill stress test. However, further research is needed to determine the predictors of the cardioesophageal loop activity.