ECG and Rapid Cardiological Assessment in Ambulatory Care and the Emergency Department (A&E)

The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a cornerstone of rapid cardiological assessment, enabling timely detection of life-threatening conditions such as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), arrhythmias, and acute coronary syndromes.

In the Emergency Department (A&E/ED), guidelines recommend ECG acquisition and interpretation within 10 minutes of arrival for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome to optimize outcomes. In ambulatory care settings, ECG use supports selective evaluation of symptomatic patients and risk stratification. This review examines the clinical applications, challenges, and the pivotal role of A&E Consultants in ensuring high-quality, efficient cardiological assessment across both environments.

Keywords: AI, Electrocardiogram (ECG), door-to-ECG time, emergency department, A&E Consultant, rapid cardiological assessment, HEART score, STEMI triage, ECG interpretation accuracy.