[24-hour ECG monitoring of patients with unstable stenocardia]

Twenty-four hours' Holter ECG monitoring was carried out in 100 patients with unstable angina pectoris. The monitoring done promptly upon admission demonstrated transitory ST changes that were usually accompanied by pain in 52% of patients. Painless ECG changes were detected in 11% of patients. ST depression was a common feature, whereas ST elevation was a much rarer one. Transitory ST changes occurred at similar rates in patients with different degrees of coronary arterial involvement, as evidenced coronary-angiographically. Variation in the ST segment and heart rhythm disorders were more typical in patients with poor outcomes (myocardial infarction, sudden death in hospital).