title: Transtelephonic electrocardiography in the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The efficacy of the transtelephonic ECG system (TTECG) in the management of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was examined with regard to the ambulance service- and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-related delay times, the prehospital medical therapy and the in-hospital mortality rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted as a collaborative effort between the University of Debrecen and the Hungarian National Ambulance Service. Altogether 397 patients were recruited in the TTECG group, while 378 patients transported to the PCI centre without TTECG served as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More accurate prehospital medical therapy was achieved in the TTECG group. The PCI-related delay times were significantly shorter, while the in-hospital mortality rate was significantly lower in the TTECG group than among the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings illustrate that TTECG is a valuable tool which may potentially improve the regional management of STEMI patients.
authors.affiliation: Hungarian National Ambulance Service.
authors.forename: Gyorgy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papai
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiology, University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Ildiko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Racz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiology, University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Debrecen, Hungary. Electronic address: dczuriga@med.unideb.hu.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Czuriga
authors.affiliation: Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gyorgy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szabo
authors.affiliation: Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Istvan Ferenc
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Edes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiology, University of Debrecen, Medical and Health Science Center, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Edes
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Q000401:mortality*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists / Q000401:mortality
keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Emergency medical services; STEMI; Transtelephonic ECG