A chest pain score for stratifying the risk of coronary artery disease in patients having day case coronary angiography

'Typical' or 'atypical' are universally used descriptions of chest pain, bu t they are limited by subjectivity. This study tested the ability of a semi -objective chest pain score to predict the likelihood of coronary disease. A chest pain questionnaire was given to 250 patients with stable chest pain attending coronary angiography. The answers to three questions were define d as 'typical' or 'atypical' and summed to give a 'typical' score between 0 and 3. Legit analysis was performed based on an age cut-off of 55 years an d 'typical' score. There were 96 (38%) patients: with normal coronary arter ies and 154 (62%) with coronary disease. In patients aged under 55 years, t he likelihood of coronary disease by 'typical' score was 11% (score 0), 30% (score 1), 40% (score 2), 53% (score 3). Similar figures for age 55 years were 39%; (score 0), 45% (score 1), 77% (score 2), and 85% (score 3). There is a direct relationship between 'typical' chest pain score and the likeli hood of coronary artery disease. This scoring system may be useful in the c linical characterization of patients for research, for guiding referral to a cardiologist or for aiding the decision to perform coronary angiography. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.