[Computer and acid-base disorders]

Abstract

The diagnosis of acid-base disorders has been subject to computerised analysis for many years. Expert systems, an application of artificial intelligence, have been validated. They are of help to clinical decision making, enabling the different diagnostic possibilities of given acid-base and hydro-electrolytic situations to be evaluated and appropriate therapy to be instituted. Computer networks improve the transmission of laboratory results to the intensive care units and the integration of data facilitates the monitoring of biochemical tendencies. Computers can also be used for teaching acid-base physiology and pathology.