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At present the work of automatization of the processes of the ECG analysis for diagnosing myocardial infarction with the help of computer technique is going forward on an ever broader scale. For an automatic identification of the focal changes syndrome on the ECG, which in the clinical practice is considered to be tantanount to myocardial infarction, the use of a special diagnostic device (SDD) is proposed. The SDD are comparatively cheap and simple in operation. The process of diagnosing provides for utilization of medical experience, but, at the same time, eliminates shortcomings inherent in systems that reproduce the physicians' manipulations in establishing the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with the help of an electrocardiogram. The choice of the SDD was made by stimulating it with an all-purpose computer. The results of clinical trials of the SDD conducted at specialized clinics bear proof to great possibilities of the automatic electrocardiographic diagnostics.

The elaboration of a standardized language for expressing the ECG diagnosis is of great practical importance and is necessary for the creation of a system of automatic treatment of the electrocardiosignal. A language is suggested for the ECG findings according to the changes in the ECG contour and disorders of the cardiac rhythm and conduction. It is based on the syndromal approach which makes it possible in analysis of the ECG to only distinguish definite syndromes without dictating a narrow diagnostic interpretation on the doctor. A list of 56 ECG diagnoses according to the character of the ECG contour and 60 elementary diagnoses relating to disorders of cardiac rhythm and conduction is given. The suggested language embraces all clinically important ECG syndromes and may be used in the elaboration of a system of automatic analysis and accepted as the foundation of a standardized language for expressing the ECG findings in practical electrocardiology.

The authors analyzed the cause of diagnostic errors due to incorrect ECG interpretation. It was revealed that the cause for diagnostic errors may lie in the inadequate experience of the electrocardiologist , the overestimation of the method potentialities and the absence of the commonly accepted language of ECG interpretation. The necessity is emphasized of the clear cut differentiation between the electrophysiological and clinical-morphological approaches to the formation of the language of ECG interpretation. The clinical-morphological approach in clinical practice is acceptable only provided that the electrocardiologist is acquainted with the clinical picture of the disease. The use of this approach disregarding the clinical findings constitutes one of the causes of diagnostic errors and iatrogenia .