Interpretation
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0–2 | Mild; mortality ~1% |
| 3–4 | Severe; ~15% |
| 5–6 | Severe; ~40% |
| ≥ 7 | Severe; ~100% (historical) |
Formula
Non-gallstone — admission: age >55, WBC >16, glucose >200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L), LDH >350 U/L, AST >250 U/L; 48 h: Hct fall >10 points, BUN rise >5 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L), Ca <8 mg/dL (2.0 mmol/L), PaO₂ <60 mmHg, base deficit >4, fluid sequestration >6 L. Gallstone — admission: age >70, WBC >18, glucose >220 mg/dL (12.2 mmol/L), LDH >400, AST >250; 48 h: Hct fall >10, BUN rise >2 mg/dL (0.7 mmol/L), Ca <8, base deficit >5, fluid sequestration >4 L. One point each.
Clinical pearls
- The full score needs 48 hours; for early triage BISAP or SIRS are faster.
- Leave any 48-hour item blank if unknown; it is then not counted and the result says how many were entered.
- Mortality figures come from 1970s cohorts and overstate modern mortality.
Examples
ranson alcoholic pancreatitis 60 yo wbc 18 glucose 250 ldh 400 ast 300Ranson criteria for gallstone pancreatitis: age 72, WBC 15, glucose 180, LDH 300, AST 120, hematocrit fell 12 points, calcium 7.5ranson non-gallstone age 45 wbc 12 glu 7 mmol/L ldh 250 ast 80
FAQ
What Ranson score is severe pancreatitis?
Three or more Ranson criteria indicate severe acute pancreatitis.
Why are there two sets of Ranson criteria?
Ranson derived different thresholds for gallstone pancreatitis, which has higher admission age, WBC, glucose and LDH cut-offs, and drops PaO₂.