Postoperative Chest Pain

Chest pain may be caused by a variety of problems involving the many anatomical structures in the thoracic cavity. Deep retrosternal or precordial pain originates from the roots of T1–T4. Posterior nerve connections in the sympathetic chain communicate with T5–T6 which innervate the diaphragm and peritoneal surfaces of the upper abdomen. Therefore, the six dermatome band (T1–T6) receives impulses from the thoracic viscera (heart, aorta, pulmonary structures, esophagus, and mediastinum) as well as the diaphragm and upper abdominal organs (gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, and duodenum). The way in which chest pain presents in terms of character and duration can aid in choosing between cardiac, pulmonary, vascular, or gastrointestinal sources.