Stethos on steroids

Gordon I. Brock, MD, CCFP
Temiscaming, Que.

Can J Rural Med 1996; 1(1): 46

My first impression on opening the box advertising the world's first, entirely electronic stethoscope is that the Stethos looks like a standard stethoscope on steroids. It weighs 156 g, compared with 112 g for my Littman Classic, but it feels much heavier around the neck, partly due to the massive diaphragm-only head, which contains the electronics and controls. According to the manufacturer's booklet it uses "high-tech stereo systems" technology to "selectively" amplify and "balance" the sound for the "response of the human ear."

There is no "bell" on the Stethos Electronic Stethoscope. The diaphragm operates in either "bell mode" (selective amplification of low tones) or "diaphragm mode" (amplification of high-pitched tones) by means of a selector button, which doubles as the on/off switch. Volume may be adjusted up to 16-fold, and the unit is powered by a battery that has a lifespan of about 1 year under normal usage. The tension of the arms is controlled by a simple roller, a feature I found helpful.

The large size of the diaphragm makes the Stethos impractical for cardiac auscultation in small children. It represents overkill for blood-pressure measurement, and I found assessment of breath sounds difficult due to the volume control.

Assessing heart murmurs is this stethoscope's forte, and it makes a huge difference. Listening to my patients with heart murmurs made it easy to hear what the cardiologists mean by the terms "diamond-shaped," "rumbling" and "pansystolic." With the Stethos, the murmurs are louder and much clearer, and there is less interference from ambient noise. All that was missing was an electronic voice identifying "aortic stenosis" or "mitral regurgitation."

After 1 week, I began to get used to the extra weight of the Stethos. However, I left it in my examining room when I went on hospital rounds and home visits and took my Littman Classic instead.

If you are happy with your cardiac auscultation skills using your present stethoscope, I see little need to rush out and buy a Stethos Electronic Stethoscope. If you wish to improve your cardiac auscultation skills or have a large number of cardiac patients in your practice, I feel this stethoscope is well worth the price.

Stethos Electronic Stethoscope. $390.00 plus tax. Manufactured by Theratechnologies, Inc. Medical Devices Division. PO Box 191, Succ. St-Michel, Montreal QC H2H 3L9; tel: 514 729-7904

Table of contents: Can J Rural Med 1 (1)