[Continuous electrocardiography monitoring during esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy]

Continuous ECG recording has been carried out during oesophagogastroduodenoscopy without premedication in 44 unselected patients. 8 of whom had cardiac diseases. Thirty-six had sinus tachycardia. Supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats occurred in 11 patients, 5 of whom had cardiopathy. Two patients without known cardiac disease or rhythm disturbance developed a transient attack of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In both cases the fibrillation occurred against the background of a slow basal sinus rhythm which was considered to be the result of vagal stimulation. All arrhythmias were transient and symptom-free, but their occurrence poses problem of the indication for premedication before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.