title: Computerized vectorcardiography telemetry: a new device for continuous multilead ST-segment monitoring of ambulatory patients. A preliminary report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Continuous vectorcardiography ST-segment monitoring has become a well-established method in the surveillance of patients with acute myocardial ischemia. However, immobility of the vectorcardiography technique prevents monitoring of patients during ambulatory activities. Computerized vectorcardiography telemetry (CVT) with the capacity of real-time ST-segment analysis has been developed in an attempt to overcome this shortcoming. Recent data, however, indicate that changes in body position occasionally lead to pseudo-ischemic ST-segment changes during continuous ST-segment monitoring.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This report describes the technical features of the CVT system, presents clinical examples using CVT, and assesses the influence of changes in body position on ST-vector magnitude (ST-VM) during CVT, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical cases involving CVT are presented. The influence of changing body position during CVT monitoring was evaluated on 24 patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes, i.e., unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction. Each patient performed a specific body positional schedule.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We present three discrete clinical cases where CVT provided early and valuable evidence of ongoing myocardial ischemia. The consequences of different recumbent and ambulatory body positions on ST-VM during CVT monitoring appear to be limited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computerized vectorcardiography telemetry is a promising new tool for disclosing residual myocardial ischemic activity during the mobilization phase of patients with acute coronary syndromes. The clinical value of CVT needs further investigation in future trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Cardiology A, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bjarne Linde
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Nørgaard
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thygesen
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dellborg
mesh_terms: D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011187:Posture; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013686:Telemetry / Q000379:methods*; D014672:Vectorcardiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*