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IIn private practice on many occasions, the patients complain of certain symptoms and the doctor wishes that he could have examined his heart during that period. There are only 2 or 3 centres in Mumbai, where an event recorder can be obtained temporarily at a big cost. Companies like Healthcare have now introduced a cordless transtelephonic portable event recorder which is the size of a palm costing about Rs.25,000/-.
The family physicians can give it to the patient and tell him/her to hold it near the chest and press the button, when the symptoms of palpitation or any other chest symptoms appear, at any time of the day or night. After this, the instrument is returned to the family physician. On the next day, with the help of the doctor’s mobile telephone, signals could be transferred from the doctor’s event recorder to the central station, where within 4 minutes, the ECG having lead II will appear along with the diagnosis signed by a cardiologist. Conditions like paroxysmal arrhythmias can be picked by this without calling a heart specialist or without paying heavily to the centre, which provides this machine to the patients.
THE BURDEN OF UNDIAGNOSED AIRFLOW OBSTRUCTION IN INDIA
A study at the Hinduja Hospital of 2065 adults undergoing spirometry as part of a routine health check revealed that a staggering 96% of those with FEV1/FVC < 70% had not been correctly labelled and diagnosed as COPD. Spirometry remains the only way to correctly diagnose COPD and assess its severity.
Smoking cessation remains the most important strategy in halting the global epidemic of COPD in this country.
Editorial, J Assoc Physicians India, 2007; 55 : 547.
Ex. Hon. Physician, Jaslok Hospital and Bombay Hospital, Mumbai, Ex. Hon. Prof. of Medicine, Grant Medical College and JJ Hospital, Mumbai 400 008.
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