[24-hour ECG monitoring by the Holter system in early diagnosis of coronary disease].
The aim of this study was to investigate the value of continuous ECG monitoring in early diagnosis of coronary heart disease. 312 patients (59 women, 253 men, aged 20-60 years) with chest pain since 3-6 months were studied. All patients underwent clinical examination, serum lipid determination, exercise ECG test, ambulatory ECG monitoring and coronary angiography. 194 patients had normal or nonsignificant irregularities of coronary arteries, in 118 patients significant atherosclerotic stenoses were found. Sensitivity and specificity of ECG monitoring were: 46 and 54% respectively. Significantly higher frequency of changes and longer duration of depression or elevation of ST segment in patients with significant coronary artery stenosis was found. ST segment changes without angina were observed in 23,7% of patients.