Clinically compressed digital echocardiography: a patient-safe alternative to videotape review.
BACKGROUND
Digital storage of echocardiographic data offers logistical advantages over videotape archival. However, limited information is available on the accuracy of clinically compressed digitised examinations, an important consideration for patient safety.


METHODS
Transthoracic echocardiograms of 520 consecutive patients were prospectively acquired digitally and on videotape. Two echocardiologists, in consensus, reported studies in both formats sequentially. Using the videotape as a reference, the significance of any reported differences was graded from both imaging and clinical standpoints, and the reasons for these differences identified.


RESULTS
From an imaging perspective, differences between digital and videotaped studies were absent or minor in 459 cases (88%), fairly significant in 55 (11%) and very significant in 6 (1%). The main reasons for the observed differences were inadequate acquisition of optimal views (59%), an insufficient number of acquired cardiac cycles (25%) and suboptimal image quality (9%). These differences were considered to be of possible or definite clinical importance in 21 (4%) and 8 (2%) cases, respectively. In multinominal logistic regression models, the only independent predictor of significant difference between digitised and videotaped images was study complexity. Regardless of case complexity, most diagnostic errors arising from digital review were attributable to technical failure rather than observer error.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential for important errors arising from exclusive reporting of clinically compressed digital echocardiograms is small. Digital echocardiography, as practiced in a routine clinical setting, offers a patient-safe alternative to videotape review.
Poh
Kian Keong
KK
Cardiac Department, National University Hospital, Singapore. doctorpoh@yahoo.com
Yang
Hong
H
Omar
Abdul Razakjr
AR
Yip
James W L
JW
Chan
Yiong Huak
YH
Ling
Lieng Hsi
LH
D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D012846:Singapore; D014743:Videotape Recording