RACHS-1 — Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery
Six-category consensus risk adjustment for in-hospital mortality after congenital heart surgery in children (Jenkins 2002). Use the category of the most complex procedure. For comparing groups, not individual prognosis.
Score interpretation
In-hospital mortality in the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium data (Jenkins 2002); current outcomes are lower.
→ Routine paediatric cardiac surgery pathway.
In-hospital mortality in the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium data (Jenkins 2002); current outcomes are lower.
→ Routine paediatric cardiac surgery pathway.
In-hospital mortality in the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium data (Jenkins 2002); current outcomes are lower.
→ PICU after surgery with extended monitoring; multidisciplinary planning.
In-hospital mortality in the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium data (Jenkins 2002); current outcomes are lower.
→ Tertiary congenital cardiac centre with ECMO availability; pre-operative MDT and parental counselling.
In-hospital mortality in the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium data (Jenkins 2002); current outcomes are lower.
→ Tertiary congenital cardiac centre with ECMO availability; pre-operative MDT and parental counselling.
In-hospital mortality in the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium data (Jenkins 2002); current outcomes are lower.
→ Tertiary congenital cardiac centre with ECMO availability; pre-operative MDT and parental counselling.
Interpretation bands for the RACHS-1. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Jenkins KJ, Gauvreau K, Newburger JW, et al. Consensus-based method for risk adjustment for surgery for congenital heart disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2002;123(1):110–118.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Protamine Sulphate (Heparin Reversal) · Heparin Reversal / Cardiac Surgery
- Enalapril (Paediatric Heart Failure / Hypertension) · ACE Inhibitor (Paediatric Heart Failure / Hypertension)
- Aprotinin · Antifibrinolytic — Cardiac Surgery
- Protamine Sulphate · Heparin Antidote — Vascular / Cardiac Surgery
- Lidocaine IV (Cardiac Arrhythmia) · Antiarrhythmic
- Dobutamine (Acute HF / Stress Echo) · Inotrope / Acute Heart Failure
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.