The ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG), also known as the long-range electrocardiogram (LREC), is an important stage in the development of electrocardiology because it provides information on the patient's ambulatory electrocardiographic activity throughout the 24-hour day.
The electrocardiogram can record only a few dozen beats when the subject is calm and for a short period of time. However, an ambulatory ECG can record the ECG signals continuously for 24 hours during daily activities. Based on an average heart rate of 75 beats per minute, more than 100,000 ECG signals will be recorded, which is naturally a very high detection rate for some transient arrhythmias. Sometimes, the ECG of some dangerous arrhythmias, such as bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and atrioventricular block of second or third degree, can also be observed. Especially for some patients with frequent attacks of angina pectoris, it is not easy to capture the electrocardiogram during the attack in the routine electrocardiogram, while the dynamic electrocardiograph is worn during the activity, it is possible that its electrocardiogram signals are recorded during the angina pectoris attack, which is easy to identify for clinical analysis. In addition, it can be helpful in the diagnosis of some patients with asymptomatic myocardial ischemia by obtaining an electrocardiogram with ST-T changes or arrhythmias. In clinical practice, ambulatory electrocardiography is mainly applied to the following aspects.
(1) Those with unexplained palpitations, chest tightness, dyspnea, and syncope.
(2) Those who consciously have symptoms such as angina pectoris, bradycardia, tachycardia, etc., but the ordinary electrocardiogram is normal.
(3) Patients who already suffer from arrhythmia and transient myocardial ischemia can further understand the relationship between arrhythmia and daily life and day and night through this examination.
(4) Dynamic observation of heart rate, ST-segment and T-wave changes in patients with myocardial infarction.
(5) Determination of the efficacy of antiarrhythmic drugs and drugs for angina pectoris.
(6) Evaluation of the function of artificial pacemakers and selection of indications for pacemaker installation.