Case Based Reasoning in Support of the LVAD Surgical Treatment
Ankica Babić · 2005
Introduction. In approximately 1-3% of patients undergoing open-heart surgery, there is a need for Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) due to heart failure when weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) [1]. To minimize the high mortality and morbidity rates it is important to chose the right treatment for the particular patient situation. The amount of the data collected in electronic patient records might be limited for an elaborate statistical analysis, but it is very critical for assuring a timely and accurate clinical insight into a patient particular situation. Case Based Reasoning (CBR) methodology provides means of collecting patients cases and retrieving them following the clinical criteria [2]. By studying previously treated patients with similar backgrounds, the physician can get a better support for deciding on treatment and be better prepared for complications that might occur during and after surgery.