Telecardiology slightly reduced early hospital readmissions compared to usual care (7% vs 9%) and better identified true angina in patients discharged after acute coronary syndrome.
RCT (n=200)
randomized
Does telecardiology improve the assessment of angina and reduce early hospital readmissions in patients discharged after acute coronary syndrome compared to usual care?
Telecardiology implemented at discharge for ACS patients may slightly reduce early hospital readmissions and improve the accurate identification of true angina.
Absolute Event Rate: 7% vs 9%
We compared two models of assistance (telecardiology versus usual care) for patients discharged after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in the assessment of angina. Two hundred patients were randomized into two groups at discharge for ACS: Group A to telecardiology and Group B to usual care. Early hospital readmission (in the first month) occurred in 16 patients (seven in Group A and nine in Group B). Six of Group A were readmitted for a cardiac cause (non-cardiac in one). Angina was the only cardiac cause. Five of the Group B patients were readmitted for a cardiac cause (non-cardiac in four). The results of the present study emphasize that patients with ACS suffer from a definite rate of cardiac symptoms within the first month (63%). Angina occurs more frequently within the first two weeks (68% of cases). Telecardiology slightly reduces hospital readmissions (telecardiology 44% versus usual care 56%), but better identifies true angina.
Chiantera et al. (Fri,) conducted a rct in Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (n=200). Telecardiology vs. Usual care was evaluated on Early hospital readmission (in the first month). Telecardiology slightly reduced early hospital readmissions compared to usual care (7% vs 9%) and better identified true angina in patients discharged after acute coronary syndrome.