RESP (Respiratory ECMO Survival Prediction) Score Calculator
Use this tool to estimate a RESP score for adults considered for veno-venous ECMO in severe respiratory failure. Select the option that best matches the clinical scenario.
What is the RESP score?
The RESP score (Respiratory ECMO Survival Prediction) is a bedside risk tool designed to estimate survival probability in patients with severe acute respiratory failure being considered for veno-venous ECMO. It combines several pre-ECMO clinical variables into one point total and maps that total to a risk class.
Clinicians use it as a structured way to support difficult decisions, communicate prognosis, and compare patients across studies or programs. Like all risk scores, it should support clinical judgment—not replace it.
How this calculator works
This calculator adds the points from each selected risk factor:
- Demographics (such as age)
- Baseline vulnerability (for example, immunocompromised status)
- Cause of respiratory failure
- Illness severity markers and pre-ECMO course
Once the total is computed, the tool assigns a RESP class and displays an estimated in-hospital survival range linked to that class.
RESP class ranges used in this page
- Class I: score ≥ 6 (highest expected survival)
- Class II: score 3 to 5
- Class III: score -1 to 2
- Class IV: score -5 to -2
- Class V: score ≤ -6 (lowest expected survival)
When RESP is useful
RESP scoring is most useful during multidisciplinary discussions where time-sensitive decisions are needed. It can help ICU teams:
- Standardize initial prognostic framing
- Support triage conversations in high-acuity settings
- Track outcomes against expected risk categories
- Improve clarity in handoffs and family communication
Important limitations
No model can fully capture individual patient complexity. Local expertise, evolving organ function, and dynamic response to treatment often matter as much as any score. A few practical cautions:
- Point definitions may vary slightly by source or institutional protocol.
- The score should be interpreted in the context of current ECMO candidacy criteria.
- Comorbidities and trajectory over time can shift prognosis after the score is calculated.
- RESP is not a substitute for direct specialist assessment.
How to use this responsibly
For clinicians
Use the calculator for structured risk communication and benchmarking, then combine it with real-time physiology, goals of care, and center-level ECMO capability.
For students and researchers
Use the tool to learn how weighted prognostic models are built. Review the original derivation and validation studies when reporting score-based conclusions.
For non-clinical readers
This page is educational and should not guide self-treatment or emergency decisions. If you have a medical concern, contact a licensed healthcare professional immediately.
Quick FAQ
Does a high RESP score guarantee survival?
No. It indicates a better expected probability at the population level, not certainty for an individual patient.
Can a low RESP score still have good outcomes?
Yes. Individual factors such as reversibility of disease, rapid intervention, and center experience can meaningfully influence outcome.
Should I use RESP alone to decide ECMO candidacy?
No. It is one component of a broader expert evaluation.
Bottom line
The RESP score is a practical, evidence-based framework for estimating risk in severe respiratory failure before veno-venous ECMO. Use it to improve structure and communication, while keeping patient-specific clinical judgment at the center of every decision.