[A follow-up by telephone of patients wearing a pacemaker--the experience of the Cardiac Pacing Center of the Hospitais de Universidade de Coimbra].
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the viability of the transtelephonic follow-up of paced patients, and its economical, human and practical consequences.


METHODS
Pacing center of a central university hospital and departments of cardiology in district hospitals.


METHODS
400 patients under transtelephonic follow-up, between April 1983 and December 1992, with a total of 1200 transtelephonic consultations. Analysis of the parameters of the stimulation and of the ECG tracings transmitted by a Transmitter Receptor Medtronic Teletrace 9403.


RESULTS
No technical problems were found in the transtelephonic transmission and clear ECG tracings were recorded. A very substantial decrease in follow-up costs was so obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
The transtelephonic monitoring of paced patients is a possible, useful and accurate method of follow-up.
Calisto
J
J
Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospitais de Universidade de Coimbra.
Faria
H
H
Pego
G
G
Angelo
F A
FA
Rufino
E
E
Raposo
A
A
Paisana
F
F
Gonçalves
T
T
Lucete
M
M
Providência
L A
LA
D000368:Aged; D002300:Cardiac Care Facilities / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D013689:Telephone / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Follow-up trans-telefónico de doentes portadores de pacemaker--a experiência do Centro de Pacing Cardíaco dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra.