Management of Pediatric Chest Pain, Palpitations, Syncope, and Murmur Presenting to the Emergency Department

Chest pain, palpitations and syncope are amongst the most common symptoms presenting to the emergency department (ED). A finding of a murmur, although rare to present as primary cause for ED visit, can often be an associated finding noted during the evaluation. Although these symptoms can be very alarming to patients and parents, they are infrequently associated with significant cardiac disease. Although the cardiac etiologies for these common symptoms are rare, these cardiac conditions can sometimes be life threatening. This review examines these presenting symptoms of chest pain, syncope and palpitations or the finding of murmur for possible differential diagnoses.