How can deep knowledge be used in CCU monitoring?

The authors discuss the knowledge-based approach to monitoring and how it will contribute to a better assessment of the patient´s physiological state. In a CCU (coronary care unit) monitoring context, the full exploitation of biological variables such as the ECG (electrocardiogram) and haemodynamics as well as iatrogenic events and drug-related data may lead to this goal. This integrated view is a means to improve both the robustness of the analysis and the differential diagnosis, thereby leading to a proper hierarchy of alarm-settings and system (re)configuration. Performing fine-grained differential diagnostics is a prerequisite for managing arrhythmias through the most adequate therapeutic actions. Thus, computer-aided therapeutic interventions can be expected to become more appropriate as the knowledge-based systems´ internal image of the patient state accords better with reality. Through clinical examples, the authors illustrate basic features of high-level ECG interpretation and show the involvement of shallow and deep knowledge.<>