[A preliminary report on silent myocardial ischemia detected using ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring].

572 cases have been examined with ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring (AEM). They are divided clinically into three groups, (1) cases after myocardial infarction (2) cases with angina (3) cases without coronary artery disease (CAD). The incidences of silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) in the three groups were 80%, 24% and 3% respectively. The ratios of silent myocardial ischemia to symptomatic myocardial ischemia in groups (1) and (2) were 88.8% and 70.4%. It is shown that silent myocardial ischemia is very frequent in CAD. The article also reviewed and discussed the criteria for diagnosis of SMI, the mechanism of its presence, and its relation to degree of ST segment depression and daily activities.