Chair, Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, American Heart Association, Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Attending Cardiologist, Children’s Memorial Hospital, USA
Catherine L. Webb |
| Important technological advances have made it possible to diagnose infant congenital heart disease by transmitting real time echocardiograms from a distant site to a center with expertise in pediatric cardiology. Some of the most important current technologies which can be used for this purpose will be explained and the advantages and disadvantages of each will be discussed. A multicenter trial of telecardiology in infants with suspected congenital heart disease in the United States will be reviewed. This study demonstrated that tele-echocardiography ensured efficient diagnosis and management of infants with congenital heart disease, prevented unnecessary patient transports, decreased the length of ICU and total hospital stay and allowed more directed medical management. Finally, the 15 year experience using telecardiology at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL and the methodology of how this program was implemented will be reported. In conclusion, it will be demonstrated that telemedicine has significantly improved outcomes for neonates with suspected congenital heart disease. |
