ARISCAT Score (Postoperative Pulmonary Complications) — free guideline decision tool
Predict postoperative pulmonary complications with the ARISCAT score.
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Implements the decision logic from published clinical guidelines.
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Nothing is uploaded. Results are for licensed clinicians only.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Age | ≤ 50 y (0) |
|---|---|
| Preoperative SpO₂ (room air) | ≥ 96% (0) |
| Respiratory infection in the last month | No (0) |
| Preoperative anemia (Hb ≤ 10 g/dL) | No (0) |
| Surgical incision site | Peripheral (0) |
| Duration of surgery | < 2 h (0) |
| Emergency procedure | No (0) |
→ARISCAT0
- Band：0 → Low (< 26 low ≈ 1.6%, 26–44 intermediate ≈ 13.3%, ≥ 45 high ≈ 42.1% in-hospital pulmonary complications)
- Action：Low: routine perioperative respiratory care
- Complications：Postoperative pulmonary complications include respiratory infection, respiratory failure, pleural effusion, atelectasis, pneumothorax, bronchospasm and aspiration pneumonitis
| Age | > 80 y (16) |
|---|---|
| Preoperative SpO₂ (room air) | ≤ 90% (24) |
| Respiratory infection in the last month | Yes (17) |
| Preoperative anemia (Hb ≤ 10 g/dL) | Yes (11) |
| Surgical incision site | Intrathoracic (24) |
| Duration of surgery | > 3 h (23) |
| Emergency procedure | Yes (8) |
→ARISCAT123
- Band：123 → High (< 26 low ≈ 1.6%, 26–44 intermediate ≈ 13.3%, ≥ 45 high ≈ 42.1% in-hospital pulmonary complications)
- Action：High: optimize preoperatively (smoking cessation, treat infection/anemia, respiratory training), intraoperative lung-protective ventilation, intensive postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation (early mobilization, incentive spirometry, NIV if needed)
- Complications：Postoperative pulmonary complications include respiratory infection, respiratory failure, pleural effusion, atelectasis, pneumothorax, bronchospasm and aspiration pneumonitis
Common questions
What is ARISCAT Score (Postoperative Pulmonary Complications)?
Predict postoperative pulmonary complications with the ARISCAT score.
How is ARISCAT Score (Postoperative Pulmonary Complications) calculated? What is the core formula?
Seven items (age, SpO₂, recent respiratory infection, anemia, incision site, duration, emergency). < 26 low (≈ 1.6%), 26–44 intermediate (≈ 13.3%), ≥ 45 high (≈ 42.1%).
When is ARISCAT Score (Postoperative Pulmonary Complications) used?
Identify high-risk non-cardiac surgery patients for prevention.
What are the key clinical points for ARISCAT Score (Postoperative Pulmonary Complications)?
Age is the strongest predictor. High scores warrant lung-protective ventilation and respiratory rehab. Applies to non-cardiac surgery.
What are the limits and cautions when using ARISCAT Score (Postoperative Pulmonary Complications)?
For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
How is ARISCAT Score (Postoperative Pulmonary Complications) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: Age ≤ 50 y (0), Preoperative SpO₂ (room air) ≥ 96% (0), Respiratory infection in the last month No (0), Preoperative anemia (Hb ≤ 10 g/dL) No (0), Surgical incision site Peripheral (0), Duration of surgery < 2 h (0), Emergency procedure No (0) → Result: ARISCAT 0（Band: 0 → Low (< 26 low ≈ 1.6%, 26–44 intermediate ≈ 13.3%, ≥ 45 high ≈ 42.1% in-hospital pulmonary complications), Action: Low: routine perioperative respiratory care, Complications: Postoperative pulmonary complications include respiratory infection, respiratory failure, pleural effusion, atelectasis, pneumothorax, bronchospasm and aspiration pneumonitis） Inputs: Age > 80 y (16), Preoperative SpO₂ (room air) ≤ 90% (24), Respiratory infection in the last month Yes (17), Preoperative anemia (Hb ≤ 10 g/dL) Yes (11), Surgical incision site Intrathoracic (24), Duration of surgery > 3 h (23), Emergency procedure Yes (8) → Result: ARISCAT 123（Band: 123 → High (< 26 low ≈ 1.6%, 26–44 intermediate ≈ 13.3%, ≥ 45 high ≈ 42.1% in-hospital pulmonary complications), Action: High: optimize preoperatively (smoking cessation, treat infection/anemia, respiratory training), intraoperative lung-protective ventilation, intensive postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation (early mobilization, incentive spirometry, NIV if needed), Complications: Postoperative pulmonary complications include respiratory infection, respiratory failure, pleural effusion, atelectasis, pneumothorax, bronchospasm and aspiration pneumonitis）
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Predict postoperative pulmonary complications with the ARISCAT score.
Open guideline tool →For licensed clinicians. Not a substitute for clinical judgement.
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