Evaluation of conventional and computerised monitoring of cardiac function in the coronary care unit.

The basic functions of a Coronary Care Unit (CCU) is continuous and intensive monitoring of cardiac function, both invasive and non-invasive. Monitoring techniques serve three main purposes, namely to protect the patient by ensuring that any abnormal variations are immediately evident; to indicate the pattern of the patient's response to treatment so that it can be modified as required; and to provide data from which a better understanding of the particular disease process may be derived.