[Value of the automated analysis of the electrocardiogram by the Telemed program (V version)]

A series of 1000 12 lead ECGs recorded in 1000 consecutive ambulatory patients were analysed by the Telemed (V Version) programme and its interpretation and the precision of the French translation were compared with the interpretation of two physicians using standard criteria. The computer identified 90% of the 285 ECGs coded as "normal" by the physicians, 69% of the 57 ECGs coded as "borderline" and 96% of the 658 ECGs coded as "abnormal". The computer interpretation was correct in 74% of cases and acceptable in 87,4% of cases. The computer classified 80% of the 240 arrhythmias correctly. Atrial fibrillation was detected in 91% of cases, and ventricular and supraventricular extrasystoles in 88% of cases. The recognition of other arrhythmias was not as good but the small number of cases did not allow statistical evaluation. The 148 cases of axis deviation and 98% of ventricular conduction defects were identified. The programme detected 84% of transmural infarcts, the sensitivity being greater for anterior or lateral than inferior infarctions. The majority of undiagnosed infarcts were "possibles" according to the criteria of the Minnesota Code. Of 536 ECGs with ST-T segment abnormalities, 81% were classified correctly; ST depression of less than 0.5 mm comprised the majority of false negatives. The sensitivity of the programme to left ventricular hypertrophy was excellent (95%) with a specificity of only 92,5% as the programme uses the Romhilt-Estes criteria which are more liberal than those of the Minnesota Code. The comparison of the sensitivity and specificity for the commonest ECG changes showed excellent all round diagnostic performance of the Telemed programme. In conclusion, despite the large number of abnormal ECGs, the level of computer-physician concordance was high. The French translation of the V Version of the Telemed programme is therefore suitable for clinical use Nevertheless, the computer interpretation should still be checked by a physician.