Abstract 19011: Initial Field Testing of a Cloud-based Cardiac Auscultation Information Management System in Rural Southwest Kunming Province, Peoples Republic of China

Abstract

Introduction: Auscultation (Ausc) is used around the world to screen for congenital heart disease (CHD). We describe initial field testing of a cloud-based Ausc information management system in rural China school children with limited access to cardiac care . Our goal is to develop an economical system to facilitate access to cardiac care for underserved children in low- and middle-income countries. Hypothesis: Web/cloud based distant transmission of auscultation exam can facilitate screening for congenital heart disease. Methods: A team of cardiology staff from a tertiary hospital conducted field screening for CHD) in rural school children in Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China. Each child with a murmur with traditional Ausc underwent echo screening and digital Ausc (Thinklabs, USA). Heart sounds were collected from 5 positions (URSB, ULSB, LLSB, apex and mid-LSB), and uploaded to a server using a tablet application (HeartLink System, USA). Blinded Ausc 3-5 months later was compared with echo finding at on-site screening. Results: 8000 children were screened with standard Ausc over 4 days by a team from Kunming Medical University and First University Hospital. Heart sounds were recorded for 149 subjects. The best vibratory quality of an innocent Still murmur was heard at LLSB in 52,at mid-LSB in 51, apex in 10 and URSB/ULSB in 4. Digital Ausc found pathologic murmurs in 11 of 14 subjects with echo-diagnosed CHD. Three missed were ASD called venous hum in 2 of 3; likely related to respiratory artifact at the URSB/ULSB. Accuracy was 136/149 or 91% with 10 false positive. Positive predictive value 52% and negative predictive value 98%. The graphical phonocardiogram facilitates visual analysis of S2 splitting and the duration and timing of the cardiac murmur. Conclusions: The cloud-based digital Ausc system is able to collect, transmit, organize and display phonocardiograms for remote CHD screening and consultation. Difficulty with respiratory contamination of the signal is noted. VSD and Still murmur were successfully differentiated. The visual phonocardiographic display can aid S2 analysis for splitting. The pilot study demonstrates the potential use of this system to extend pediatric cardiology expertise to underserved rural areas around the world.