Conventional versus computer-aided interpretation of long-term ECG recordings–aspects of precision and economy

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Abstract
In a sample of sixty 12-h long-term ECG recordings, a computer-aided analysis method was compared to a conventional scanning technique for diagnostic precision [of cardiac arrhythmias] and time consumption. As regards diagnostic precision, no significant difference between the methods was found. Both were considered efficient in detecting episodes of arrhythmia. Using the computer-aided method, a physician spent an average of 16 min on analyzing a recording and writing the diagnostic report. The conventional method required 69 min from an ECG technician and 9 min from a physician for each recording. From these figures it is concluded that about 750 12-h recordings/yr are required to outweigh the extra annual cost for the computer, if it is used only for long-term ECG analysis. If the computer can also be used for other purposes, the system for long-term ECG analysis is profitable with a smaller annual number of recordings.