Scoring Systems for Risk Stratification in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery – Where Do We Stand?

Abstract Cardiac surgery is associated with significant mortality rates. Careful selection of surgical candidates is therefore vital to optimise morbidity and mortality outcomes. Risk scores can be used to inform this decision-making process. The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation Score (EuroSCORE) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Score are amongst the most commonly used risk scores. However, there are many other scoring systems in existence; yet no perfect scoring system exists, therefore, further research is needed as we strive towards a more idealised risk stratification model. The purpose of this review is to discuss the advantages and limitations of some of the most commonly used risk stratification systems and use this to determine what an ideal scoring system might look like. This includes not only the generalisability of available scores, but also their ease of use and predictive power.