Experience using internet-ECG to optimize the patients hospitalization duration with acute myocardial infarction

The aim of this study was to examine the efficiency of on-line Internet-electrocardiography (ECG) in the practice of GP (therapist) to clarify the factors causing chest pain and make a decision about the necessity of emergency hospitalization.

Materials and methods. 2022 ECG recording made by the patients at home by means of “Cardiometr” device (“Micard Lana”, St. Petersburg) were registered by GP (therapist) with concern to identify heart rhythm disorders and make a differential diagnosis of chest pain. The decision to hospitalize was taken in view of automatic detention.

Results. A high percentage of coincidence between automatic and medical conclusion on violation of heart rhythm and ischemic ECG changes was revealed. It also showed total match of automatic and expert opinions about the myocardial infarction stage and its localization. Use of on-line Internet ECG helps to substantially increase the amount of patients hospitalized in first 6 hours after the onset of chest pain (37,7% vs 19,4%, χ2 = 3,65, p = 0,05) and reduce the number of patients hospitalized in the late timeline (more 24 hours) (10,1% vs 27,8%, χ2 = 5,42, p = 0,01).

Conclusion. ECG automatic analysis provides high accuracy of diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias and acute focal changes and will promptly resolve the necessity of emergency hospitalization of patients with myocardial infarction. It is advisable to equip the similar devices GP (therapist) carrying out visiting patients at home.