Effect of Telecardiology After Hospital Discharge for Acute Coronary Syndromes

Whether telemonitoring confers benefit after hospital discharge in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is unclear. To examine this issue, researchers conducted an open-label trial among 337 patients with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention at a single institution. At hospital discharge, participants were randomized to patient-initiated telemonitoring or routine care for 6 months.

The telemonitoring group received a 12-lead electrocardiogram machine, automated blood pressure monitor, and pulse oximeter, which patients used when experiencing cardiac symptoms. Monitoring results were automatically transmitted to trial staff and passed along to a cardiologist, who would conduct a remote clinical assessment of the patient…