The ACLS score (A = arrest witnessed, C = cardiac rhythm, L = lay bystander initiates CPR, S = speed of response by paramedic squad) can estimate the chance that a person who has had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest will be discharged from the hospital alive.
Parameters:
(1) whether cardiac arrest was witnessed or not
(2) cardiac rhythm
(3) who started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
(4) response time of emergency personnel
Parameter
Finding
Points
cardiac arrest
witnessed
0
not witnessed
40
cardiac rhythm
ventricular fibrillation
0
ventricular tachycardia
0
other rhythm
40
CPR
started by bystander
0
delayed until emergency personnel arrived
20
response time of emergency personnel
(number of minutes) * 5
ACLS score =
= per cent chance of being discharged alive =
= MAX (0, 80 - (points for witnessed arrest) - (points for cause) - (points for CPR) - (points for paramedic response time))
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0 (score cannot be negative)
• maximum score: 80
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