[Objective criteria for the pre-operative evaluation of the surgical risks (author's transl)]

In 1975 a check list was introduced for the pre-operative evaluation of the surgical risks. In contrast to assessing the general condition of the patient according to the ASA nomenclature, the check list is largely based on objective criteria with a point system for evaluation. The number of points determines the magnitude of risk. 140,250 anaesthesias are avaluated with regard to the frequency of cardiovascular complications. The incidence of complications increases steadily in the presence of hypertension and arrhythmia in four consecutive risk groups and in the presence of hypotension and asystole in all five groups.