[Computers in a center for cardiac stimulation]

The authors describe a computer system with details of the hard ware and filing organisation. The sophistication and originality of the programme makes it a multipurpose tool base on a condensed dictionary. Its uses may be summarised under three headings: --The upkeep of medical case notes, a very successful application, resulting in improved safety in the long term follow-up of pacemaker patients. Statistical analysis of multiple parameters in larger series of patients is possible, a task which could not be carried out without a computer. --The system has the advantage of providing secretarial help in the booking of follow-up appointments, automatic print-out of follow-up reports and letters to the referring physician. This leads to better efficiency in correspondence. --The third advantage is the stocking and treatment of numeric data on a wide range of materials, leading to the creation of its own data bank. The programme as described has been adopted for cardiology and, in particular, cardiac pacing. It could, however, be applied in all fields of medicine, especially those using other materials (valvular prostheses, orthopedic appliances, etc).