The signal-averaged electrocardiogram: update on clinical applications.

The signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) facilitates noninvasive recording of low-amplitude cardiac signals such as ventricular late potentials. The SAECG has been used to accurately predict life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients after acute myocardial infarction and with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, and to screen for inducible ventricular tachycardia in patients with unexplained syncope and with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. This review focuses on currently accepted methodology and clinical and research applications of the SAECG.