Tele-echocardiography in paediatrics

Abstract

Echocardiographic images can be transmitted over increasing distances with less cost and better quality thanks to advances in the field of telecommunications. This technological support can be used to detect heart defects in newborns and children in remote situations. The intent of this study was to confirm the feasibility and usefulness of telemedical communication for echocardiographic evaluation of paediatric cardiovascular disease. A total of 214 echocardiographs were performed in 194 children at a remote hospital by an experienced sonographer in paediatric echocardiography. These echocardiograms were transmitted to a distant tertiary care paediatric cardiology centre using a telemedicine link across three ISDN lines. There an experienced paediatric cardiologist interpreted the tele-echocardiograms. Tele-distant diagnoses were prospectively documented and compared with the diagnoses made subsequently on direct consultation and echocardiography. The quality of transmitted echocardiographic images was sufficient for evaluation except for one case. In 191 children (98%), the remote echocardiographic diagnosis was correct as confirmed by follow-up face to face consultations. Three cases were diagnosed incor-rectly. Conclusion: our results confirm that accurate and rapid diagnosis can be provided by tele-echocardiography in neonates and children. This facilitates the appropriate care of these patients as expensive and potentially dangerous long-distance transfers can be avoided. Keywords Paediatric echocardiography AE TelemedicineAbbreviation ISDN integrated services digital network distant tertiary care paediatric cardiology centre using a Eur

Narrative review of telemedicine consultation in medical practice

“… 29 In Switzerland, 191 out of 194 children received a correct diagnosis of cardiovascular disease by an experienced sonographer in a remote hospital. 30 These echocardiograms were transmitted to a distant tertiary care pediatric cardiology center by a telemedicine link across three Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines. 31 Moreover, echocardiography-telemedicine efficacy was assessed in emergency conditions, in particular after regular working hours using a laptop computer.…”

Home Videoconferencing for Patients with Severe Congential Heart Disease Following Discharge

“…ISDN6 provides the equivalent capacity of six combined telephone lines and has been verified to provide diagnostic quality transmission. [3][4][5][6] It is, however, more expensive to install and maintain, costing approximately £250 for installation of the ISDN transmission lines. Calls through ISDN6 are charged at six times the standard call rate (equivalent of six phone lines).…”

Long-term Outcomes of a Telementoring Program for Distant Teaching of Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

“…No cost-benefit analysis was performed to statistically compare the telementoring program to traditional mentoring and on-site teaching. Moreover, our data should be carefully generalized to other clinical settings since the telementoring program had been established between 2 teams highly experienced in telemedicine projects 32,33 and with long-lasting close cooperation persisting even beyond the telementoring phase. In addition, teleconferencing equipment has improved immensely since this program was initiated with ISDN lines.…”