Smart Technology Shows Benefits for Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Procedures

May 29, 2014—According to survey results reported this week at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions’ SCAI 2014 scientific sessions, smart phones and similar devices are being used successfully by young pediatric interventional cardiologists to consult with colleagues and mentors about diagnostic and treatment plans, often in the middle of a case.

As summarized by SCAI, a team led by Michael Seckeler, MD, of the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, distributed a web-based survey to members of the SCAI group known as the Pediatric Interventional Cardiology Early-Career Society (PICES).  Dr. Seckeler presented the study “Utilization and Barriers to Adoption of Smart Technology for Communication in the Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: Results of an International PICES Survey of Early Career Interventionalists” in a poster session on May 29 at SCAI 2014.

Of the 45 physicians who responded, 34 (76%) reported using smart technology to communicate about procedures, 73% of whom did so at least weekly. Nearly half (45%) said they had communicated via smart technology during a case. Communication was with a partner or local colleague (67%), remote colleague (45%), cardiac surgeon (39%), referring cardiologist (15%), and the patient’s family (12%). Users sent angiograms, echocardiographic images, CT/magnetic resonance imaging images, and other data about the case. 

The survey found that 63% of communications had the potential to change the planned procedure. Smart technology improved the speed of communication, according to 65%. Approximately 85% of survey responders said that precautions were taken to protect patient privacy always or most times, although permission was rarely sought from patients.