ARISCAT Score for Post-operative Pulmonary Complications
Predicts risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (atelectasis, respiratory failure, pleural effusion, pneumonia, pneumothorax, bronchospasm) in non-cardiac surgery patients.
Score interpretation
ARISCAT < 26: Low risk for postoperative pulmonary complications.
→ Standard peri-operative care. Early mobilisation. Incentive spirometry.
ARISCAT 26–44: Intermediate risk.
→ Pre-operative respiratory physiotherapy. Smoking cessation. Optimise lung disease. Lung-protective ventilation intra-op. Early post-op physio.
ARISCAT ≥ 45: High risk.
→ Intensive pre-op respiratory preparation. Post-op HDU. CPAP prophylaxis. Lung-protective ventilation. Early mobilisation protocol. Anaesthetic/respiratory review.
Interpretation bands for the ARISCAT. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Canet J, et al. Prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications in a population-based surgical cohort. Anesthesiology. 2010;113(6):1338–1350.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Difluprednate 0.05% Eye Drops · Potent Ophthalmic Corticosteroid — Uveitis / Post-Operative Inflammation
- Bromfenac · Topical NSAID (post-operative)
- Oxycodone (Orthopaedic Post-operative Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Strong
- Morphine (PCA — Post-Operative Pain) · Opioid Analgesic — Patient-Controlled Analgesia
- Tramadol (Post-Operative Pain) · Weak Opioid / Serotonin-Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitor (Analgesic)
- Co-codamol 30/500 (Post-Operative Step-Down Analgesia) · Compound Analgesic (Codeine + Paracetamol — Weak Opioid Step-Down)
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) · NICE NG115; GOLD 2024
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Adult) · BTS Pleural Disease 2023
- Atypical Pneumonia (Legionella / Mycoplasma / Chlamydophila) · BTS 2023; IDSA
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.