Search

In the TeleGuard trial, 1500 patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) were recruited and randomized to control or intervention groups. Patients in the intervention group were equipped with a 12-lead event recorder and could contact a call centre and transmit an ECG whenever they wished. In a 12-month study, the composite endpoint (all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, re-hospitalization or re-vascularization) was seen in 40% of the intervention patients and in 38% of the control patients. In both groups, approximately 40% were re-hospitalized. In total, 73 patients experienced re-vascularization, 75 showed an infarction and 33 died. Equipping CAD patients with a 12-lead ECG device and providing a telemedicine centre with 24-hour availability did not decrease risk for the composite endpoint (re-hospitalization, re-vascularization, (subsequent) myocardial infarction and/or death). It is likely that the clinical pathway used in the telemedicine centre led to an increased hospital admission rate in the intervention group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) were recruited in 11 hospitals and randomized to an intervention (telemedicine system; n = 752) or a control group (usual medical care; n = 748). On the day before discharge, patients in the intervention group were equipped with a 12-lead event recorder and trained to use the device. Whenever they had symptoms, they could contact the call centre, transmit an ECG (without redialling) and consult a physician. During a 12-month study, 171 patients (23%) in the intervention group contacted the call centre, a total of 269 times. The main reasons for calling were chest pain and radiating pain. Pathological changes were seen in 24% of the transmitted ECGs. Only 23% of the calls were made in the first hour after onset of symptoms and a further 12% in the subsequent hour, suggesting that patients should be encouraged to use ECG transmission at an earlier stage. At follow-up, 157 patients (21%) had had at least one recurrent cardiac event (myocardial infarction, cardiac hospital stay, re-vascularization). The proportion was significantly higher in telemedicine users (35%) than in non-users (17%), P < 0.001. Regardless of utilization, the majority of the intervention patients considered that the telemedicine system was helpful (users = 93%, non-users = 89%; P = 0.095). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was transmitted to a call centre via telephone (tele-ECG). In 120 patients (mean age 64 years) referred to hospitals because of ACS, a standard 12-lead ECG and a tele-ECG recorded at the same time were compared by two cardiologists and one internist independently and blindly. Conduction times exhibited very good agreement between standard and tele-ECG with reliability coefficients (R) of 0.91, 0.86 and 0.89 for the PQ-, QRS- and QT interval, respectively. Rhythm analysis was correct in 99% of the cases. Negative T waves, ST-segment elevation and depression were detected with very high agreement in the tele-ECG exhibiting kappa (κ) coefficients between 0.75 and 0.96. The correct ECG diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was possible with excellent agreement between standard and tele-ECG, showing κ coefficients of 0.96, 0.99 and 0.99, respectively, for three investigators. The 12-lead tele-ECG recorder proved accurate for the detection of acute STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded by the patient and transmitted to a cardiology call centre via telephone (tele-ECG) with a standard 12-lead ECG recorded from the same patient at the same time. In 158 patients, tele-ECGs were compared with standard ECGs by two cardiologists and one internist, independently and blindly. In 14 patients peripheral electrodes were displaced, and in 12 patients there were baseline artefacts. These technical errors were corrected by telephone communication in all but two individuals. One patient could not use the tele-ECG device because of disability. Hence, in 155 of 158 patients (98%), the quality of the tele-ECG was adequate for diagnosis. Reliability coefficients (R) for PQ, QRS and QT intervals between tele- and standard ECG were high, with R values of 0.73, 0.75 and 0.79, depending on the physician. Negative T-waves could be detected with very good agreement in the tele-ECG as compared with the standard ECG (kappa values of 0.97, 0.95 and 0.94). The agreement between tele- and standard ECG concerning alterations of the ST segment was very good (kappa =0.99 for all investigators). Residual signs of myocardial infarction could be detected by tele-ECG, with very good agreement for anterior as well as for posterior localizations (kappa =0.99 and 1.00). The tele-ECG technique seems a promising approach to reducing pre- and in-hospital time delays to the initiation of thrombolytic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]