[Low reliability of ECG monitoring in CCU for detection of ischemic episodes (author's transl)].
In 10 patients with frequent anginal attacks admitted to CCU, 2-lead ECG Holter monitoring (H-M) was performed for a total of 10 days. The number of ischemic episodes detected by retrospective analysis of H-M was compared with the number detected on the basis of symptoms and continuous visual ECG monitoring in CCU (CCU-M) by highly trained staff. A total of 157 episodes was identified by H-M [82 ST elevation (ST), 15 ST depression (ST) and 60 t wave changes]. Only 15 of these episodes were detected by CCU-M (13 ST, 1 ST and 1 T wave changes) of which 12 were symptomatic. When 6 H-M ECGs were simultaneously displayed on an oscilloscope in real-time (as in CCU-M), one of the Authors was able to detect only 36% of the episodes, whereas the frequency reached 80% when the analysis was limited to one tape at the time. The results show the low reliability of the CCU-M in detecting ischemic attacks; this appears mainly related to the display of multiple tracings.
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000150:complications; D002300:Cardiac Care Facilities; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic
Inaffidabilita' del monitoraggio elettrocardiografico in unita' di cura coronarica per il riconoscimento di episodi di ischemia miocardica.