A computer program for long term anticoagulation control

• Published in: Computer programs in biomedicine Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 71 - 84
• Main Authors: Wiegman, Harry, Vossepoel, Albert M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.1977
• Subjects: Anticoagulants - administration & dosage; Anticoagulation Control; Computers; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Information Services; Long-Term Care; Man-machine Interaction; Mathematics; Medical Decision Making; Medical Information Systems; Medication Systems, Hospital; Models, Biological; Online Systems; Patient Treatment Systems; Pharmaco-kinetics; Real-time Computing; Thrombosis - drug therapy; Pharmaco-kinetics; Anticoagulation Control; Medical Information Systems; Man-machine Interaction; Real-time Computing; Medical Decision Making; Patient Treatment Systems
• ISSN: 0010-468X
• DOI: 10.1016/0010-468X(77)90014-9

A computer program is described which calculates suggested daily anticoagulant dose schedules for long term patients. This program is a part of the real-time Information System for Thrombosis Centres. The program requires only the most recent information on the patient from the Information System's database. This information consists of the latest two measured coagulation times, the previous dose schedule, the target and limiting values set by the physician to the coagulation time, and a very limited number of parameters accounting for the patient's anticoagulation history. A simple dose-response model is used to simulate and predict a coagulation time. By comparing this prediction with the measured coagulation time the program computes the necessary adjustment in the average dose and the appointment period. It gives remarks, if necessary. The Information System is used successfully for the majority of patients of Leiden Thrombosis Centre, where it operates as a part of a real-time Hospital Information System.