Design of a computer-assisted programme supporting the selection and clinical management of patients referred for liver transplantation.

The paper describes the knowledge-base of the expert system OLT 1, developed to support medical decision-making in patients referred for liver 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 clinical decision). According to the programme, patients referred to Liver Transplant Centres may be enrolled and ranked in the waiting list, included in a stand-by list for treatment and re-evaluation, or discharged. All decisions are made on the basis of well-assessed and objective criteria.