Early continuous ST segment monitoring in unstable angina: prognostic value additional to the clinical characteristics and the admission electrocardiogram.

Abstract

Patients with unstable angina and a normal admission ECG have a good prognosis, while ST segment depression predicts an adverse outcome. Transient myocardial ischaemia detected by continuous ST segment monitoring in such patients receiving optimal medical treatment provides prognostic information additional to that gleaned from the clinical characteristics or the admission ECG.