Wireless ECG monitoring by telephone

The objective of this work was to study a wireless one channel limited (3-lead) home electrocardiogram (ECG) transmission system and ambulatory devices data transmission using telephone lines. ECG screenings were conducted in two groups. The first group consisted of construction workers examined at first aid stations at construction sites in Moscow, Russia. The second group was a selected set of patients admitted to a hospital in Tblisi, Republic of Georgia. All patients were on constant monitoring and follow-up after hospitalization. Patients themselves connected the ECG leads at home or with the help of paramedics at ambulatory stations. The ECG signals were transmitted to receiving stations where doctors interpreted them. Frequency modulation was used for ECG transmission over regular telephone lines. Of 231 readings in 74 patients--70 male and 4 female (age 21-56)--in the first group, 33 patients were abnormal. In the second group, 15 out of 165 readings in 8 patients--5 male and 3 female (age 31-70)--were abnormal. ECG screening can be significantly simplified and made widely acceptable at home and distant sites using wireless monitoring tools and telephone line transfer of the signal. This project has been implemented under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union and the Russian Telemedicine Foundation.