title: Clinical significance of automatic warning function of cardiac remote monitoring systems in preventing acute cardiac episodes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In addition to ambulatory Holter electrocardiographic recording and transtelephonic electrocardiographic monitoring (TTM), a cardiac remote monitoring system can provide an automatic warning function through the general packet radio service (GPRS) network, enabling earlier diagnosis, treatment and improved outcome of cardiac diseases. The purpose of this study was to estimate its clinical significance in preventing acute cardiac episodes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using 2 leads (V1 and V5 leads) and the automatic warning mode, 7160 patients were tested with a cardiac remote monitoring system from October 2004 to September 2007. If malignant arrhythmias or obvious ST-T changes appeared in the electrocardiogram records was automatically transferred to the monitoring center, the patient and his family members were informed, and the corresponding precautionary or therapeutic measures were implemented immediately.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our study, 274 cases of malignant arrhythmia, including sinus standstill and ventricular tachycardia, and 43 cases of obvious ST-segment elevation were detected and treated. Because of early detection, there was no death or deformity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A cardiac remote monitoring system providing an automatic warning function can play an important role in preventing acute cardiac episodes.
authors: Shou-Qiang CHEN, MD, PhD, Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250001, China.
authors: Shou-Qiang
authors: SQ
authors: Chen
authors: Shan-Shan XING, MD, PhD, Hai-Qing GAO, MD, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China.
authors: Shan-Shan
authors: SS
authors: Xing
authors: Cardiac Remote Monitoring Center, QiLu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
authors: Hai-Qing
authors: HQ
authors: Gao
keywords: Acute cardiac episodes; Automatic warning function; Cardiac remote monitoring system; Earlier diagnosis; Prognosis