Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
A Teleoperated Robotic System-Assisted Percutaneous Transiliac-Transsacral Screw Fixation Technique
Published on: January 6, 2023
The TeleGuard trial of additional telemedicine care in CAD patients. 1 Utilization of the system
Alexander Katalinic1, Annika Waldmann, Bernhard Schwaab
1Institute for Social Medicine, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
Insights
Telemedicine systems using event recorders improved patient care for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, higher rates of recurrent cardiac events were observed in telemedicine users, suggesting a need for earlier symptom reporting.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Informatics
- Digital Health
Background:
- Established coronary artery disease (CAD) requires continuous patient monitoring.
- Traditional follow-up care may not adequately capture early signs of cardiac events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a telemedicine system for patients with established CAD.
- To assess the impact of telemedicine on recurrent cardiac events and patient satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 1500 patients with CAD.
- Intervention group used a telemedicine system with a 12-lead event recorder.
- Control group received usual medical care over a 12-month period.
Main Results:
- 23% of intervention patients contacted the telemedicine call center, primarily for chest pain.
- 24% of transmitted ECGs showed pathological changes.
- Telemedicine users had a significantly higher proportion of recurrent cardiac events (35%) compared to non-users (17%).
- The majority of patients found the telemedicine system helpful, regardless of usage.
Conclusions:
- Telemedicine systems can facilitate remote monitoring and physician consultation for CAD patients.
- Delayed symptom reporting via telemedicine needs to be addressed to optimize patient outcomes.
- Further research is needed to understand the increased cardiac event rates in telemedicine users.
Abstract:
Patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) were recruited in 11 hospitals and randomized to an intervention (telemedicine system; n = 752) or a control group (usual medical care; n = 748). On the day before discharge, patients in the intervention group were equipped with a 12-lead event recorder and trained to use the device. Whenever they had symptoms, they could contact the call centre, transmit an ECG (without redialling) and consult a physician. During a 12-month study, 171 patients (23%) in the intervention group contacted the call centre, a total of 269 times. The main reasons for calling were chest pain and radiating pain. Pathological changes were seen in 24% of the transmitted ECGs. Only 23% of the calls were made in the first hour after onset of symptoms and a further 12% in the subsequent hour, suggesting that patients should be encouraged to use ECG transmission at an earlier stage. At follow-up, 157 patients (21%) had had at least one recurrent cardiac event (myocardial infarction, cardiac hospital stay, re-vascularization). The proportion was significantly higher in telemedicine users (35%) than in non-users (17%), P < 0.001. Regardless of utilization, the majority of the intervention patients considered that the telemedicine system was helpful (users = 93%, non-users = 89%; P = 0.095).
Related Concept Videos
01:21Tertiary Healthcare System
01:11Secondary Healthcare System
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:30Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
01:20Integrated Healthcare System