Ranson Criteria

Predicts severity and mortality of acute pancreatitis using criteria at admission and at 48 hours.

Age at admission >55 (alcoholic) or >70 (gallstone)

White blood cell count >16,000/mm3 (>18,000 for gallstone)

Blood glucose >200 mg/dL (>220 for gallstone)

Serum AST >250 IU/L

Serum LDH >350 IU/L (>400 for gallstone)

Serum calcium <8.0 mg/dL at 48h

Hematocrit decrease >10% at 48h

Arterial PaO2 <60 mmHg at 48h

BUN increased by >=5 mg/dL (>=2 for gallstone) despite IV hydration

Base deficit >4 mEq/L (>5 for gallstone) at 48h

Fluid sequestration >6L (>4L for gallstone) at 48h

Clinical Notes & Warnings

  • Cannot be fully determined until 48 hours after admission.
  • Less useful than BISAP or APACHE-II for early prediction.
  • Not validated for pediatric patients.
  • Different cutoffs for alcoholic vs gallstone pancreatitis.

Modified Ranson criteria for gallstone pancreatitis have different thresholds. BISAP is preferred for early assessment.