[Role of many hours of ECG monitoring (Holter method) in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease and the selection and evaluation of antianginal therapy].

The diagnostic value of 24-hour ECG monitoring was assessed in 81 patients with stable angina of effort (functional classes II-IV) and 8 spontaneously-anginal patients. The pattern and frequency of transitory ST displacements, and their distribution by the hours of the day are reviewed. The results of 24-hour ECG monitoring are compared with clinical, bicycle-ergometric and coronaroangiographic findings. Spontaneously anginal patients showed peculiar episodes of transitory ischemia, with typically elevated ST, shorter duration and the occurrence mostly during the night and morning hours; 2/3 of such episodes were painless. High diagnostic value of the method for the assessment of the efficacy of anti-anginal drugs is demonstrated.