Remote imaging via FaceTime for potential long-distance diagnosis of suspected cardiac structural and shunt anomalies on contrast echocardiography (The RIFLE Study)

Abstract

BackgroundCertain cardiac anomalies can be missed by standard transthoracic echocardiography and are usually confirmed through contrast echocardiography, a specialized procedure that warrants supervision by a cardiologist with advanced echo training. However, the maldistribution or lack of echo specialists in certain countries, especially in archipelagic settings, deprives many patients of such procedures and probably contributes to delayed diagnosis and treatment. We wanted to find out whether onsite interpretations of contrast echocardiograms of patients with suspected cardiac anomalies are comparable to offsite readings made via the real-time videoconferencing technology of FaceTime.