Usefulness of a "satellite", long-term 12-lead ECG in cyberspace

We have developed a 12-lead Holter-like (portable) digital electrocardiograph. The registered continuous electrocardiograms were transferred from the "satellite" portable unit to the local and via Internet to the center PC. In the first study the agreement between the local, automated and the core lab ECG interpretations of 1024 episodes of automated alarms were: atrial fibrillation (N=221, kappa=0.89, p=n.s.), ventricular run>5 beats (28, 0.81, n.s), ST-elevation (343, 0.69, p<0.05) ST-depression (511, 0.63, p<0.02). In the second substudy we examined 290 telemedicine consultations. The managing strategy was changed after consultation in 17 cases of anginal attacks, in 31 cases of supraventricular, in 11 cases of ventricular arrhythmias. In the third substudy the results of our ambulatory chest pain rapid assessment service were analyzed. The risk stratification showed a better way of managing chest pain patients.