• K Mischke, M Zarse, M Perkuhn, C Knackstedt, K Markus, R Koos, T Schimpf, J Graf, P Hanrath, and P Schauerte.
• Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. kmischke@ukaachen.de
• J Telemed Telecare. 2005 Jan 1;11(4):185-90.

AbstractTo test the feasibility of a small and simple system for telephonic transmission of 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs), 70 patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU) were included in a feasibility study. The transmission system consisted of a belt with multiple electrodes, which was positioned around the chest. The ECG signal was sent to a call centre via a standard telephone line. In parallel, a standard 12-lead ECG was recorded on site. In a retrospective analysis, each lead of the transmitted ECG was compared with the on-site 12-lead ECG with regard to ST-segment changes and final diagnosis. In all 37 patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the diagnosis was correctly established on the basis of telephone-transmitted ECGs. In 96% of limb and 88% of chest leads, ST elevations which were visible in standard ECGs were correctly displayed on telephonically transmitted ECGs. In the remaining 33 patients no false-positive diagnosis was made using transtelephonic ECG analysis. A control group of 31 patients without apparent heart disease showed high concordance between standard ECGs and telephonically transmitted ECGs. Telephonically transmitted 12-lead ECGs interpreted by a hospital-based internist/cardiologist might allow a rapid and accurate diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction and may increase diagnostic safety for the emergency staff during prehospital decision making and treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

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