• Homer Yang, Ashraf Fayad, Alan Chaput, Stuart Oake, Adrian D C Chan, and Mary Lou Crossan.
• Department of Anesthesia, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. hyang@toh.ca.
• Can J Anaesth. 2017 Apr 1; 64 (4): 411-415.

PurposeThis case report outlines the utility and challenges of remote continuous postoperative electrocardiography ECG) monitoring, which is routed through a secure smartphone to provide real-time detection and management of myocardial ischemia.Clinical FeaturesA 42-yr-old male with previous myocardial infarction and angioplasty underwent a radical prostatectomy. At three hours and 45 min postoperatively, remote real-time ECG monitoring was initiated upon the patient's arrival on a regular surgical ward. Monitor alerts were routed to a study clinician's smartphone. About six hours postoperatively, alarms were received and horizontal ST segment depressions were observed. A 12-lead ECG validated the ST segment changes, prompting initiation of a metoprolol iv and a red blood cell transfusion. Approximately seven hours and 30 min postoperatively, the ST segments normalized. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3 and followed for four years without any sequelae.ConclusionThis case report illustrates the use of remote ECG monitoring and clinician response in real time with the use of a smartphone. With each alert, a small ECG strip is transmitted to the smartphone for viewing. In our view, this technology and management system provides a possible means to interrupt myocardial ischemic cascades in real time and prevent postoperative myocardial infarction.

25 keywords...

hide…