VALUE OF A LOW-COST TELEMEDICINE LINK IN THE REMOTE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHICDIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL HEART-DEFECTS

We established a low-cost telemedicine link from a district general ho spital to the regional paediatric cardiology department about 120 km a way. The link was used to transmit echocardiographic images of newborn infants suspected of having congenital heart disease (CHD) to the ref erral centre, with simultaneous video and audio contact for consultati on. Echocardiograms were transmitted for 61 patients suspected of havi ng CHD, aged from 1 to 42 days. The transmitted images were of adequat e quality for the paediatric cardiologist to make a diagnosis in 59 (9 7%). Congenital heart abnormalities were diagnosed in 38 (64%). Twelve patients (20%) had major CHD diagnosed on the transmitted scan and re quired transfer to the regional cardiology unit either urgently or ele ctively after initial measures to stabilize the patient. Our findings suggest that, for babies suspected of having CHD, ultrasound images of diagnostic quality can be obtained and transmitted using a low-cost t elemedicine system.