Telecardiology unleashed: probing the depths of effectiveness in remote monitoring and telemedicine applications for acute cardiac conditions.

Journal: European heart journal. Acute cardiovascular care
Published Date:

Abstract

Telecardiology has emerged as a promising approach in acute cardiac care through advancements in digital health technologies. This review explores the current evidence of telemedicine applications in acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, and acute heart failure. Telecardiology strategies are already implemented in clinical practice today. Examples such as pre-hospital electrocardiogram transmission and remote monitoring using non-invasive and invasive devices have shown to enhance diagnostic accuracy, reduce treatment delays, and improve outcomes. However, despite multiple meta-analyses, the effectiveness of telecardiology remains uncertain due to heterogeneity in study designs and lack of high-quality randomized controlled trials. Increasingly, the integration of artificial intelligence offers unprecedented opportunities for diagnostic precision, predictive analytics, and personalized care yet requires rigorous validation and ethical considerations. This article underscores the pivotal role of the cardiologist in bridging the gaps between technology and clinical practice by providing an evidence-based scaffold on telecardiology effectiveness and clinical implementation.

Authors

  • Michiel De Wever
    Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Limburg Clinical Research Centre (LCRC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium.
  • Henri Gruwez
    Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Limburg Clinical Research Centre (LCRC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium.
  • Sebastiaan Dhont
    Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Limburg Clinical Research Centre (LCRC), Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium.
  • Laurent Pison
    Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
  • Pieter Vandervoort
    Mobile Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.
  • Peter Haemers
    Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.