Title:	VALIDATION OF PHOTO-ECG FOR REMOTE ECG ANALYSIS
Author(s):	Thais Russomano, Ana Paula Finatto Canabarro, Clarissa Francisca Valdez, Angelo Marcelo Schwalbert, Yuri Silva Trindade, Ricardo Bertoglio Cardoso
ISBN:	978-972-8939-87-8
Editors:	Mário Macedo
Year:	2013
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	mHealth, Telecardiology, Telemedicine, eHealth, Photo-ECG.
Type:	Short Paper
First Page:	122
Last Page:	126
Language:	English
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Paper Abstract:	Introduction: eHealth tools and telemedicine systems have become commonly used to provide better care to patients located in remote areas or regions lacking in specialized medical opinion. These improvements can be achieved by continuous education of local health professionals, remote evaluation of patient exams or second opinions on clinical cases, given by experts located in reference centres. However, in order to enable this swift information exchange, it is necessary to make use of digital - technology. Unfortunately, small clinics and health care units do not always have the financial resources to acquire new digital equipment and/or do not want to dispose of their analogical devices. Therefore, alternative methods must be made available. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of photographed ECGs (Photo-ECGs) as an alternative tool for facilitating remote cardiologic second opinion. Methods: Three hundred and one paper ECGs were photographed twice (n=602), using a Canon digital camera and a Nokia mobile phone with integrated camera. A series of pilot studies determined the best configuration that should be used for each camera. The Photo-ECGs were then randomized, encrypted and sent (single-blind) to two physicians by email, together with an evaluation form containing gender and age only, while the paper ECGs were delivered personally without randomization. Concordance between results of the paper ECGs and their respective Photo-ECGs were evaluated by the weighted Kappa, giving an average K = 0.508 for the camera Photo-ECGs and an average K = 0.511 for the mobile phone Photo-ECGs. The paper ECG results from each physician were also compared (K = 0.3512). The results of this study suggest that the Photo-ECG has potential for allowing virtual evaluation of ECGs to take place using commonly available and low cost equipment.
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