title: An interactive computer simulator of the circulation for knowledge acquisition in cardio-anesthesia.
abstract: Knowledge-based decision support systems for use in cardio-anesthesia can provide online support to the anesthesiologist by generating intelligent alarms. However, the acquisition and validation of a consistent knowledge base for this application bears problems related to the transfer of clinical experiences into a rule system. An interactive simulator of the human circulation is presented that supports the process of knowledge acquisition and testing. The simulator can be controlled in realtime by an anesthesiologist during the simulation run thus providing a basis for interdisciplinary discussion of routine as well as critical situations. The output data can be transferred to a knowledge-based system for test purposes. The simulator is currently being used for the development of the Anesthesia Expert Assist System AES-2. With regard to the special application a model of the heart-function was integrated which enables the simulation of heart insufficiency. Simulation runs under various conditions are presented and discussed. The simulator was implemented on an ATARI ST personal computer.
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz-Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Popp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schecke
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rau
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Käsmacher
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kalff
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005103:Expert Systems; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular