[Functioning of an Exercise electrocardiographic service for family physicians; a report of 498 patients].
OBJECTIVE
In Rotterdam GPs have the possibility of requesting an exertion ECG for their patients from the Foundation Thrombosis Service and Physicians' Laboratory. A follow-up study was carried out in order to gain insight into the functioning of this service.


METHODS
Over a period of three months, 266 GPs referred 498 patients to the service for an exertion ECG. The GPs received an enquiry form with questions on the referral and the functioning of the service. The patients were followed up for two weeks in connection with any (cardiovascular) events and with the management by the GP. An ECG was regarded as positive if the ST showed a depression greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.


RESULTS
None of the patients died during the period of the investigation. Of the patients with positive and with negative ECGs, 41% and 37%, respectively, had no more complaints, 40% and 28% the same complaints, and 3% and 0.5% more complaints. Of the patients with a negative ECG (n = 439), 3.9% were referred to a cardiologist. If no ECG had been made, this proportion would have been 39%.


CONCLUSIONS
The Foundation Thrombosis Service and Physicians' Laboratory Rotterdam provides an essential contribution to GPs' decision making concerning referral of patients with vague cardiac complaints to a cardiologist.
Beenakker
A W
AW
Erasmus Universiteit, afd. Huisartsgeneeskunde, Rotterdam.
van der Does
E
E
Jonker
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002309:Cardiology; D003153:Community Health Services; D005080:Exercise Test; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012017:Referral and Consultation
Het functioneren van een inspannings-elektrocardiografische service voor huisartsen; een beschrijving van 498 patiënten.