ToolsCalculators
Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) for postoperative risk
Predicts risk of major complications or death within 30 days of surgery from three intraoperative variables.
Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) for postoperative risk
Estimated blood loss
Lowest mean arterial pressure during surgery
Lowest heart rate during surgery
Result0 points
Corresponds to very high risk of a major complication or death within 30 days.
- Surgical Apgar Score (range 0-10)
- 0
When to use
- Estimating a general or vascular surgery patient's risk of major postoperative complications immediately after the operation, using only intraoperative data.
- Identifying patients who may benefit from closer postoperative monitoring.
Formula
Sum of points for estimated blood loss (0-3), lowest mean arterial pressure (0-3), and lowest heart rate (0-4) during the operation. Range 0-10; higher scores indicate lower risk.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Derived and validated in general and vascular surgery; the original cohort showed a steep risk gradient, with major complication/death rates far lower for scores of 9-10 than for scores of 0-2.