The communications revolution has opened up dramatic possibilities for healthcare delivery across physical/geographical boundaries. Telemedicine, once held up as a miracle, and then seemingly forgotten, has been making a comeback in one of the most challenging frontiers of modern medicine – the ICU.
High-speed communications have also paved the way for ambulance-based telemedicine.

ICU Telemedicine
Video observation and advanced algorithms
The greatest benefit of ICU telemedicine or Tele-ICU care involves continuous surveillance and interactive care by offsite clinicians. This is achieved by direct video observation of the patient and interrogation of ICU equipment. Advanced computer algorithms, based on clinical data available in a patient

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death and disability across the world. In recent decades, the battle against CVD has focused on prevention, with the management of lifetime cardiovascular (CV) risk superseding treatment of individual cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Such a strategy in turn is anchored in two complementary approaches – a population-based one promoting community health (e.g. anti-smoking campaigns, diet and nutritional management) and a clinical approach targeted at high-risk individuals.

Complexity of risk factors
In spite of this, CVD management remains less than optimal – even in countries with advanced and well-funded healthcare systems. In 2007, the authors of an article in the