DESIGN OF A COMPUTER-ASSISTED PROGRAM SUPPORTING THE SELECTION AND CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS REFERRED FOR LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

The paper describes the knowledge-base of the expert system OLT 1, dev eloped to support medical decision-making in patients referred for liv er transplantation. The paper goes through the real clinical problems, and describes both structural (organization of the domain knowledge) and functional aspects (reasoning algorithm and strategies for clinica l decision). According to the programme, patients referred to Liver Tr ansplant Centres may be enrolled and ranked in the waiting list, inclu ded in a stand-by list for treatment and re-evaluation, or discharged. All decisions are made on the basis of well-assessed and objective cr iteria.