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Electrocardiographs (ECGs) designed for recording the variations of the electric potential caused by the electrical activity of the heart muscle in ambulatory patients, usually detected at the body surface and typically from three to twelve leads simultaneously. The instrument usually records ECG signals automatically using an electronic storage device (tape recorders may be also used) worn by the patient that is usually attached to chest surface electrodes. Some ambulatory recorders can analyze the signals in an integral processor that includes dedicated software. Also available are ambulatory ECG recorders that analyze the signal at the time that it is recorded, typically using microprocessors (i.e., real-time recording), and recorders that make the analysis when processing the recorded signal (i.e., retrospective recorders). Ambulatory ECGs are usually worn by the patient for a period of 24 to 48 hours; they are used to detect transient cardiac problems (e.g., variable heat rate, arrhythmia), after myocardial infarction, or other problems of possible cardiac origin (e.g., dizziness, palpitations). Ambulatory ECGs are not intended for a real-time assessment of the electrocardiogram or other cardiac conditions.
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