Home-care after cardiac surgery with the support of telecardiology

In this paper we present a home rehabilitation program after cardiac surgery with the support of telecardiology. Our experience, the first in Europe, started on June 2000 and the results of the first series of patients (pt) are discussed. The project was based on the concept that patient can be discharged very soon after the operation, but with constant monitoring by the cardiology and cardiac surgery staff at the hospital. The protocol, with written informed consent, was approved by our ethical committee. During the first year of activation, 84 pts were hospitalised at home and the scheme has been highly successful.