The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a positive correlation between the
ability to sense chest pain in the context of myocardial ischemia and the ability to sense
discomfort associated with the topical application of the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin (the active
ingredient on hot chili peppers). Patients undergoing clinical elective balloon angioplasty
of a coronary stenosis will be asked to quantify the subjective intensity of any chest pain
they feel during a standardized episode of myocardial ischemia produced by a one-minute
coronary balloon occlusion, using a previously-validated numeric rating scale. The same
patients will subsequently be asked to grade the subjective intensity of cutaneous discomfort
resulting from application of a capsaicin-containing patch (Capzasin-HP Cream, an
over-the-counter product approved for topical application to treat muscle and joint aches) to
the forearm. The goal will be to determine whether an association can be demonstrated between
the subjective perception of ischemic chest pain during coronary balloon occlusion and
cutaneous capsaicin sensitivity. Such an association could have considerable clinical value,
as it might allow physicians to prospectively assess an individual's ability to perceive
myocardial ischemia/infarction by assessing his/her subjective response to the topical
application of capsaicin.