Transtelephonic transmission of electrocardiograms in Slovenia

The transtelephonic transmission of electrocardiograms (ECGs) was introduce d in Slovenia in 1996 and has been used regularly since September 1997 by h ealth institutions and patients with cardiovascular diseases. Portable 12-c hannel ECG equipment weighing less than 200 g is generally used. The diagno stic centre is located in the intensive-care unit at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. In the first 12 months of regular operation we received 463 calls, 213 of which were diagnostic. The most common reasons for callin g were: ischaemic chest pain, atypical chest pain, palpitations and dyspnoe a. The most common diagnoses, made on the basis of history and the ECC were : acute myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, paroxysmal tachycardias and atypical chest pain. In 40% of cases the cardiologist's advice sufficed; 3 8% of patients were referred to the emergency room, 29% immediately and 9% only if a suggested therapy did not prove successful; and in 21% of cases n ew medication or a change of dosage of current medication was suggested. Tr anstelephonic ECC transmission enables direct communication between general practitioner or patient and cardiologist. With its use, time from onset of symptoms to initiation of treatment is shortened, which reduces disability and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases and improves cost-benefit.