Volume 11, Number 6, November-December 2004

Palpitations and syncope in primary care
Amit KJ Mandal, George G Kassianos

Palpitations are a common complaint. It is useful for the GP to determine which are benign and which are potentially life-threatening and require urgent referral.
Two cases are presented here in which the GP used 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring to detect a prolonged daytime sinus pause. Both patients were referred, as a consequence, for permanent pacemaker insertion.
A 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring machine allows the GP to reassure patients whose palpitations have a benign origin, to reduce inappropriate referrals to secondary care, and to produce a more informative referral letter.

Br J Cardiol 2004;11:492-494.

View full PDF article (open in new window)
Email this article