🫀 SOFA Score (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment)
Grade organ dysfunction in critical illness with the SOFA score across six systems.
Higher and rising scores predict higher mortality.
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When to use
Track organ failure in the ICU and operationalise the Sepsis-3 sepsis definition.
How it works
0–4 points each for respiration, coagulation, liver, cardiovascular, CNS and renal (max 24). An acute rise of ≥ 2 in suspected infection = sepsis.
Key points
- Higher and rising scores predict higher mortality.
- Sepsis-3: acute ΔSOFA ≥ 2 defines sepsis.
- Cardiovascular item uses vasopressor doses (µg/kg/min).
References
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.
| Respiration (PaO₂/FiO₂) | ≥ 400 (0) |
|---|---|
| Coagulation (platelets ×10³/µL) | ≥ 150 (0) |
| Liver (bilirubin mg/dL) | < 1.2 (0) |
| Cardiovascular | MAP ≥ 70 (0) |
| CNS (GCS) | 15 (0) |
| Renal (creatinine mg/dL) | < 1.2 (0) |
→SOFA0/24
- Mortality (approx.)：< 10%
- Sepsis-3：An acute rise of ≥ 2 points in suspected infection defines sepsis.
| Respiration (PaO₂/FiO₂) | < 100 + support (4) |
|---|---|
| Coagulation (platelets ×10³/µL) | < 20 (4) |
| Liver (bilirubin mg/dL) | ≥ 12 (4) |
| Cardiovascular | Dopamine >15 / epi >0.1 / NE >0.1 (4) |
| CNS (GCS) | < 6 (4) |
| Renal (creatinine mg/dL) | ≥ 5.0 (4) |
→SOFA24/24
- Mortality (approx.)：> 50%
- Sepsis-3：An acute rise of ≥ 2 points in suspected infection defines sepsis.
Frequently asked questions
- What is SOFA Score (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment)?
- Grade organ dysfunction in critical illness with the SOFA score across six systems.
- How is SOFA Score (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) calculated? What is the core formula?
- 0–4 points each for respiration, coagulation, liver, cardiovascular, CNS and renal (max 24). An acute rise of ≥ 2 in suspected infection = sepsis.
- When is SOFA Score (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) used?
- Track organ failure in the ICU and operationalise the Sepsis-3 sepsis definition.
- What are the key clinical points for SOFA Score (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment)?
- Higher and rising scores predict higher mortality. Sepsis-3: acute ΔSOFA ≥ 2 defines sepsis. Cardiovascular item uses vasopressor doses (µg/kg/min).
- What are the limits and cautions when using SOFA Score (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment)?
- 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 SOFA Score (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Respiration (PaO₂/FiO₂) ≥ 400 (0), Coagulation (platelets ×10³/µL) ≥ 150 (0), Liver (bilirubin mg/dL) < 1.2 (0), Cardiovascular MAP ≥ 70 (0), CNS (GCS) 15 (0), Renal (creatinine mg/dL) < 1.2 (0) → Result: SOFA 0 /24（Mortality (approx.): < 10%, Sepsis-3: An acute rise of ≥ 2 points in suspected infection defines sepsis.） Inputs: Respiration (PaO₂/FiO₂) < 100 + support (4), Coagulation (platelets ×10³/µL) < 20 (4), Liver (bilirubin mg/dL) ≥ 12 (4), Cardiovascular Dopamine >15 / epi >0.1 / NE >0.1 (4), CNS (GCS) < 6 (4), Renal (creatinine mg/dL) ≥ 5.0 (4) → Result: SOFA 24 /24（Mortality (approx.): > 50%, Sepsis-3: An acute rise of ≥ 2 points in suspected infection defines sepsis.）