title: New real-time loop recorder diagnosis of symptomatic arrhythmia via telemedicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One disadvantage of current loop recorders is the long interval between recording an electrocardiogram (ECG), establishing a diagnosis, and taking appropriate medical measures. The Cardio R loop recorder transmits cardiac recordings by cellular communication at the push of a button. Users can concomitantly relay symptoms, thereby providing a symptom/cardio-rhythm correlation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The Cardio R is capable of early detection of cardio-electrical events that could account for patients' symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational study was designed to evaluate patients who were referred from community physicians/cardiologists for evaluation of various cardiac symptoms that were not observed by regular office ECGs or traditional 24-hour Holter cardiac monitoring. Transmitted recordings were instantly displayed on a monitor for immediate diagnosis by the on-duty medical team at SHL-Telemedicine's call center. Abnormal tracings, especially when accompanied by symptoms selected from the prepared list, enabled the staff to instruct the subscriber, notify their physician, and/or dispatch a mobile intensive care unit to the scene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between January 2009 and August 2010, there were 17 622 ECG transmissions received from 604 patients (age range, 10-95 years) who completed a 1-month trial with the Cardio R device. Palpitation, presyncope, and chest pain were the leading complaints. A disturbance in rhythm that could account for symptoms occurred during recording in 49% cases and was displayed within 7 minutes in 93% of them. No longer than 2 days elapsed from recording onset to diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Cardio R device enables prompt ECG confirmation/exclusion of a probable arrhythmic cause of symptoms, enabling rapid intervention for cardiac-relevant complaints.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. eranrubinov@hotmail.com
authors: Eran
authors: E
authors: Leshem-Rubinow
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Berger
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Shacham
authors: Edo Y
authors: EY
authors: Birati
authors: Nomi
authors: N
authors: Malov
authors: Mira
authors: M
authors: Tamari
authors: Michal
authors: M
authors: Golovner
authors: Arie
authors: A
authors: Roth
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