[24-hour ECG monitoring in cardiac fibrillation].

AIM: To elucidate clinical value of 24-h ECG monitoring followed by analysis of cardiac rhythm structure in patients with perpetual cardiac fibrillation (CF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24-h ECG monitoring has been performed 163 times in 142 patients aged 33-82 years. Interval histograms and cardiointervalograms of R-R intervals were performed. RESULTS: 24-h ECG monitoring has shown the phenomena which can be used for perfection of the diagnosis and treatment: features of 24-h changes in heart rate; features of ventricular ectopy; periods of asystole; preclinical signs of hyperdigitalization; frequency-related shift of ST segment. CONCLUSION: 24-h ECG monitoring in patients with perpetual CF provides valuable diagnostic information. Therefore, it should be conducted in all of them irrespective of subjective state and routine ECG data, especially in deciding on antiarrhythmic therapy.