title: The dangers of electrocardiography in general practice.
abstract: The use of the electrocardiograph by general practitioners was studied by scrutiny of 100 successive referrals to the Department of Clinical Electrophysiology. 31% of referrals were on patients with chronic, recurrent chest pain and a further 13% were on patients with a recent episode of acute chest pain. The ECG is of limited diagnostic value in patients with chest pain, and it may be both misleading and time-wasting when used inappropriately by general practitioners.
authors.affiliation: Medical Division, Royal Air Force Hospital, Wegberg.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mullen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005194:Family Practice; D006296:Health Services; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies