Eugene M. Strand

Cardiac catheterization and angiographic analysis computer applications.

S IGNIFICANT EFFORT has been invested to use digital computers as a tool for data processing in several areas of clinical cardiology. From the mid 1960s efforts have been made to utilize computer systems for the analysis of data from cardiac catheterization. These efforts have led to the development of several commercial systems. More recently similar efforts have been made at automating the patient monitoring process in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). This article presents several computer applications for the analysis of cardiac catheterization data. While some effort is made to present an overview of work done in this area by other investigators, the approach taken in this article is to present in some detail the features of cardiac catheterization systems developed at the University of Alabama in Birmingham Medical Center over the past decade. The intent was to focus on the computer processing techniques typical of catheterization laboratory applications.

Prototyping and small scale software projects

To reduce the development time of small scale interactive software systems for research and clinical use in cardiology at UAB a display-oriented language was developed. Experience with this system has been very successful in early stabilization of the specification of the user dialogue.

A practical structure for a very large time sequential data base

This paper discusses the practical aspects of incorporating an indexed sequential file structure into a large time sequential data base, which includes the sequence of intervals between heartbeats measured from the electrocardiogram (ECG). First, the paper describes the time sequential data base. Secondly, the paper presents uses made of the time sequential file. Finally, the paper describes the indexed sequential data structure developed to support this application.

Computer analysis of 35-lead EKG maps

This paper describes an application of computer processing of 35-lead electrocardiographic (EKG) maps as a tool in cardiac research. This physiological signal analysis system has been implemented on an IBM 1800 process control computer at the Clinical Cardiology Computer Center at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. The precision obtained from computer processing of physiological signals provides clinical research scientists with accurate data analysis.

Top-down design of a system summary program

The design of a software system is a complex process involving consideration of several levels and varying amounts of detail within each level. This paper discusses a top-down design of an on-line system summary application. The design is presented in the following fashion: System description providing the background information necessary for further design development and a functional description of the desired application system.

Modular implementation of an instrument set-up program

The Clinical Cardiology Computer Center (CCCC) of the University of Alabama in Birmingham has in operation a medlum-slze process control computer with a standard multlprogrammlng executive and a special sub-executlve for allocating system facilities to simultaneous users. (1,2) Two coronary care units (CCUs) and two cardiac catheterization labs (COLa) are connected to this computer. (3) In the CCU, the computer is used for calculating parameters from physiological signals sensed from critically ill patients who have suffered a heart attack or chest pain. (4) Measurements from the CCLs are useful in assessing the necessity and efficacy of surgical procedures, such as coronary bypass and valve replacements.This paper describes the use of the instrument set-up programs (ISP) in setting up physiological signals to the computer, the top-down design of the ISP system, and the structure of the system of programs.