Postoperative Pneumonia Risk Index
Arozullah, AM et al Multifactorial Risk Index for postop
pneumonia. Ann Intern Med 2001;135:847-57
•100 VA Hosp 160, 805 major non-cardiac surgery 9/97 to 8/99—2466 cases
(1.5%) developed pneumonia.
•Developed risk index to predict post-op pneumonia and validated it by using
cases 1995-97.
•Type of surgery: abd aortic aneurysm, thor, up abd, neck, vasc, neuro
•Age =>80, 70-79, 60-69, 50-59
•Functional status: total dependent, partial dependent
•Wt loss >10% in 6 months
•Hx COPD
•Others: General anesthesia, impaired sensorium, Hx CVA, BUN <8 mg/dl,
Transfusion >4 units, emergency surgery, chronic steroid use, current
smoker, alcohol >2 drinks/d
•Risk point system used to categorize risk class 1-5, 0-15 risk points, 16-25,
26-40, 41-55, >55, Pneumonia rates were 0.24% to 15.9%.