title: Transtelephonic defibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to assess the safety and reliability of a device for transtelephonic defibrillation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The transtelephonic system consists of a patient unit and a base station. The patient unit contains a monitor-defibrillator, electrode pads, microphone, microprocessor, and DC defibrillator. The base station comprises a control panel, computer, and ECG display.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients who were treated in our emergency department for cardiac arrest were placed on patient units that activated our base station in a remote location within the ED.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients were treated for ventricular fibrillation, and two patients were treated for ventricular tachycardia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one shocks were delivered transtelephonically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all cases, voice and ECG transmission were established without difficulty.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that this system represents a safe and reliable method for the treatment of ventricular fibrillation, and we advocate additional use to study the prehospital applications of transtelephonic defibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical Center of Delaware, Wilmington 19899.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Feldstein
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nitowski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D013689:Telephone