Summary
A System is described which will accept, store, retrieve and analyze information on
large numbers of patients who undergo valve replacement surgery. The purpose of the
database is to yield readily available facts concerning the patient's clinical course,
prosthetic valve function, length of survival, and incidence of complications.
The System uses the Apple Macintosh Computer, which is one of the current examples
of small, desktop microprocessors. The Software for the input, editing and analysis
programs has been written by a professional Software writer in dose collaboration
with a cardiac surgeon, Its content is based on 8 years' experience of computer-based
valve follow-up. The System is inexpensive and has proved easy to use in practice.
Key words
Patient follow-up - Heart-valve replacement - Computer
