The Cardiovascular
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Aldrete Score for post-anaesthesia recovery

Readiness for discharge from the post-anaesthesia care unit.

Aldrete Score for post-anaesthesia recovery
Activity (voluntary/on command movement)
Respiration
Circulation (BP vs pre-anaesthetic)
Consciousness
Oxygen saturation
Result10 points

Generally considered ready for discharge from the PACU.

Discharge-ready threshold
≥9 of 10

When to use

  • Assessing recovery and discharge readiness after general or regional anaesthesia.

Formula

Sum of five items (activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, oxygen saturation), each 0–2. Range 0–10; ≥9 usually indicates discharge readiness.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • The modified score replaces colour with pulse oximetry (SpO2).

References

  1. Aldrete JA, Kroulik D. Anesth Analg. 1970;49(6):924-34.
  2. Aldrete JA. J Clin Anesth. 1995;7(1):89-91.