Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is an important clinical problem requiring co-operation between cardiologist and gastroenterologist. Approximately, one half of the patients with NCCP suffer from oesophageal disorders. In most cases, we can find gastroesophageal acid reflux, a minor part is formed by patients with oesophageal dysmotility or „irritable oesophagus“. As regards the diagnostic approach in patients with NCCP, we suggest long-term esophageal pH and pressure monitoring as the most important technique, sometimes we use provocative tests. The crucial point of evaluating pH- and manometry is time-related occurrence of pain episodes and pH or motility disturbances. This time-relation is expressed by the symptom index. The authors also present their own results from a group of 63 patients with non-cardiac chest pain, examined by upper endoscopy, oesophageal pH and pressure monitoring and provocative balloon test. In 49.2 % patients an oesophageal origin of the complaints was found. Therapy of the Nccp patients should be targeted causally. It consists of the dietary and regime measures and administration of antisecretory drugs, spasmolytics, prokinetics, and in some cases, anxiolytics. Correct diagnosis and effective treatment of non-cardiac chest pain seems to be also cost-effective.

        Key words: non-cardiac chest pain – oesophageal pH-monitoring – manometry – gastroesopha- geal reflux – oesophageal motility disturbances – irritable oesophagus