title: A database management system for cardiovascular disease.
abstract: The Loyola Open-Heart Registry is a fully operational database that has hundreds of programs designed to input, modify, verify, maintain, update and analyze its raw data. It contains retrospectively collected data on approximately 4000 patients who underwent coronary bypass (CABG) or cardiac valve replacement (CVR) from January 1970 to May 1981. Since 1981 we have collected detailed information on approximately 1300 patients per year. The system is described in clinical and technical terms. The means of data acquisition and input are described and a flow chart for the collection of data is provided. The system's hardware is described briefly, and the nature and limitations of the software are discussed. Specific datasheets are described, and examples of output retrievals are provided. A few comments are made regarding the administrative aspects of database management. The entire paper is summarized, and our future plans and areas of development are described.
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012984:Software