Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring in a market town health centre.

An ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring system was made available to a group of 10 general practitioners in one health centre and the use of the service was studied over a period of 12 months. The participating doctors were asked to assess the value of the reports received and to indicate any effect on patient management. Over the year 77 recordings were made for 73 patients and among the 69 technically satisfactory recordings 10 abnormalities were detected. A considerable variation in the use of the service by the doctors was detected but overall they appeared to find the reports received helpful. The management of 48 of the patients was changed as a result of the investigation. Results from a two-year follow-up period suggested a steady request rate for recordings of approximately two requests per 1000 patients per year. The detection rate of abnormalities following recording was 11% for the three years combined. Such a system has a valuable place in the management of some patients.