BACKGROUND: Live transmission of echocardiography can provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis in identifying neonates who need emergent transfer to a tertiary care center. This prevents a delay in management and/or unnecessary transport. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the utility, accuracy, and benefits of tele-echocardiography in primary care hospitals in South Dakota to assess neonates with suspected congenital heart disease. METHOD: Two primary care hospitals established a telemedicine link to our tertiary care center. A pediatric cardiologist interpreted neonatal tele-echocardiograms and results with recommendations were immediately communicated to the attending physicians. RESULTS: Seventy-six neonatal studies were performed over 30 months, 72 at the primary care sites and 4 at the tertiary care center. Cardiac diagnosis was identified in 30 patients (40%). Neonatal transport was deemed necessary in 8 patients (11%), 5 with major cardiovascular disease and 3 with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Two pre-term infants at the tertiary center were diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus and required medical intervention. CONCLUSION: Tele-echocardiography accurately distinguished neonates who required tertiary cardiac care from those with less critical cardiac disease fostering prompt diagnosis and appropriate care while subjecting a minimal number of patients to costly emergency transport.
BACKGROUND: Live transmission of echocardiography can provide a rapid and accurate diagnosis in identifying neonates who need emergent transfer to a tertiary care center. This prevents a delay in management and/or unnecessary transport. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the utility, accuracy, and benefits of tele-echocardiography in primary care hospitals in South Dakota to assess neonates with suspected congenital heart disease. METHOD: Two primary care hospitals established a telemedicine link to our tertiary care center. A pediatric cardiologist interpreted neonatal tele-echocardiograms and results with recommendations were immediately communicated to the attending physicians. RESULTS: Seventy-six neonatal studies were performed over 30 months, 72 at the primary care sites and 4 at the tertiary care center. Cardiac diagnosis was identified in 30 patients (40%). Neonatal transport was deemed necessary in 8 patients (11%), 5 with major cardiovascular disease and 3 with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Two pre-term infants at the tertiary center were diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus and required medical intervention. CONCLUSION: Tele-echocardiography accurately distinguished neonates who required tertiary cardiac care from those with less critical cardiac disease fostering prompt diagnosis and appropriate care while subjecting a minimal number of patients to costly emergency transport.
Authors: Linping Pian; Lawrence M Gillman; Paul B McBeth; Zhengwen Xiao; Chad G Ball; Michael Blaivas; Douglas R Hamilton; Andrew W Kirkpatrick Journal: Emerg Med Int Date: 2013-01-28 Impact factor: 1.112
Authors: Adilson Cunha Ferreira; Edward O'Mahony; Antonio Hélio Oliani; Edward Araujo Júnior; Fabricio da Silva Costa Journal: Int J Telemed Appl Date: 2015-02-24
Authors: Alyssa DeWyer; Amy Scheel; Jenipher Kamarembo; Rose Akech; Allan Asiimwe; Andrea Beaton; Bua Bobson; Lesley Canales; Kristen DeStigter; Dhruv S Kazi; Gene F Kwan; Chris T Longenecker; Peter Lwabi; Meghna Murali; Emma Ndagire; Judith Namuyonga; Rachel Sarnacki; Isaac Ssinabulya; Emmy Okello; Twalib Aliku; Craig Sable Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-08-06 Impact factor: 3.240