The role of ambulatory monitoring in postinfarction patients.

Ventricular premature contractions noted at the time of hospital discharge following myocardial infarction identify a population of patients at risk for late, sudden cardiac death. Patients with PVC's who are at exceptionally high risk can be identified by means of certain clinical and arrhythmic characteristics. Late ambulatory monitoring is the most effective single technique for identifying such individuals and for monitoring their response to anti-arrhythmic medication.