ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC CHANGES MONITORED WITH HOLTER ELECTROCARDIOCORDER DURING ERCP

Abstract

Continuous electrocardiographic monitoring with a Holter electrocardiocorder was performed during ERCP on 33 unselected patients. ECG changes during ERCP were analyzed. Eight patients (24.2%) exhibited arrhythmia, 6 ventricular premature beats, one supraventricular premature beats and one paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. ST segment depression was observed in seventeen patients (51. 5%). The incidence of ST segment depression tended to be higher in the older patients, but there was no relationship between the occurrence of ST depression and the duration of ERCP. None of the patients developed severe cardiac diseases in this report, but ERCP should be performed with careful consideration of the risks and preparation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, especially in older patients and/or in patients with severe cardiac diseases .