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Table 8.21

ASA (American Society of Anesthesia) Classification Scale

Class INormal healthy patientAppropriate for moderate sedation
Class IIPatient with mild systemic disease (without substantive functional limitations)
  • Current smoker
  • Social alcohol drinker
  • Pregnancy
  • Obesity (BMI < 35)
  • Well controlled DM or HTN
  • Mild lung disease
Appropriate for moderate sedation
Class IIIPatient with one or more severe to moderate systemic diseases (substantive functional limitations)
  • Poorly controlled DM or HTN
  • COPD
  • Morbid obesity (BMI > 40)
  • Active hepatitis
  • Alcohol dependence or abuse
  • Implanted pacemaker
  • Moderate reduction of ejection fraction
  • End stage renal disease with dialysis
  • >3-month history of MI, CVA, TIA, or coronary artery disease with stents
Requires careful evaluation by a provider regarding the involvement of anesthesia to ensure patient safety
Class IVPatient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
  • <3 month history of MI, CVA, TIA or coronary artery disease with stents
  • Ongoing cardiac ischemia or severe valve dysfunction
  • Severe reduction of ejection fraction
  • Sepsis
  • DIC, ARDS, or end stage renal disease not undergoing regular dialysis
Requires anesthesia consult
Class VMoribund patient not expected to survive without surgery
  • Ruptured abdominal/thoracic aneurysm
  • Massive trauma
  • Intracranial bleed with mass effect
  • Ischemic bowel in the face of significant cardiac pathology
  • Multiple organ system dysfunction
Requires anesthesia consult
Class VIDeclared brain dead patient whose organs are being removed for donor purposes
Note: The addition of an “E” after any class denotes emergency surgery (an emergency is defined as existing when delay in treatment of the patient would lead to a significant increase in the threat to life or body part.