Ambulatory electrocardiography. A clinical perspective.

Advances in modern technology have made it possible to record and analyze the electrocardiographic data of ambulatory persons for as many as 24 h or more. This capability and an increasing awareness of cardiac dysrhythmias and myocardial ischemia as a cause of morbidity and mortality have led to the more widespread use of ambulatory electrocardiography in the examination of patients for various clinical conditions. From a clinical viewpoint, we review and summarize the present state-of-the-art of ambulatory electrocardiography and discuss when such studies are indicated, frequently warranted, or may be useful.