ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPES IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF HEART DISORDERS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE AND CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594732405087

• Palavras-chave: Electronic Stethoscope, Heart Auscultation, Heart Sounds, Diagnostic Accuracy.

• Keywords: Electronic Stethoscope, Heart Auscultation, Heart Sounds, Diagnostic Accuracy.

• Abstract:

  Objective: This study aims to review and discuss the advances and applications of electronic stethoscopes in the diagnosis of cardiac conditions, highlighting their benefits, limitations and future potential in medical practice. Methods: To carry out this integrative review, a comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed database, using combinations of specific keywords such as "electronic stethoscope," "cardiac auscultation," "heart sounds," "diagnostic accuracy," and "comparison with acoustic stethoscope." Articles in English or Portuguese that addressed the use of electronic stethoscopes in cardiac auscultation, compared their effectiveness with acoustic stethoscopes and were systematic reviews, cohort studies, case-control studies or case reports were included. After the initial selection of 45 articles, 8 were included in the final review. Results: The articles reviewed showed that electronic stethoscopes have significant advantages over traditional stethoscopes, such as noise reduction and improved diagnostic accuracy. The application of acoustic filters allowed electronic sounds to be perceived as acoustic, facilitating doctors' transition to the new technology. The use of artificial intelligence algorithms has improved the identification of cardiac anomalies, with an accuracy of up to 86.9% for heart sounds. Conclusion: Electronic stethoscopes represent a significant advancement in cardiac auscultation, offering greater sensitivity and accuracy, especially in noisy environments and for challenging populations. Integration with AI and telemedicine technologies further enhances its clinical applicability, and it is essential to harmonize its acoustic characteristics to maximize acceptance and effectiveness in medical practice.