❤️ Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (OHFRS)
UseWhen to use: after initial ED therapy for acute HF disposition decisions.
StrataThresholds >1 (sensitive) or >2 (fewer admits) commonly guide admission.
LimitsWhen not to use: unstable pre-treatment patients. · Pitfall: skipping walk-test rule. · Not a sole discharge order.
SourceOttawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (Stiell et al.)
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Post-treatment score.
When to use
When to use: after initial ED therapy for acute HF disposition decisions.
How it works
Weighted 10 items (stroke, prior intubation, HR, SaO₂, walk test, ECG, urea, CO₂, troponin, NT-proBNP).
Key points
- Post-treatment score.
- Optional NT-proBNP +1.
- Next: admit vs close follow-up.
References
- Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (Stiell et al.)
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| History of stroke or TIA | No (0) |
|---|---|
| History of intubation for respiratory distress | No (0) |
| Heart rate ≥110 on ED arrival | No (0) |
| SaO₂ <90% on arrival | No (0) |
| HR ≥110 during 3-min walk (or too ill to walk) | No (0) |
| New ischemic ECG changes | No (0) |
| Urea ≥12 mmol/L (~BUN ≥33 mg/dL) | No (0) |
| Serum CO₂ / bicarbonate ≥35 mmol/L | No (0) |
| Troponin I/T elevated to MI level | No (0) |
| NT-proBNP ≥5000 ng/L (optional validation item) | No / not drawn (0) |
→OHFRS0points
- Cue：0–1 — lower SAE risk band; discharge only if clinically stable with follow-up
| History of stroke or TIA | Yes (+1) |
|---|---|
| History of intubation for respiratory distress | Yes (+2) |
| Heart rate ≥110 on ED arrival | Yes (+2) |
| SaO₂ <90% on arrival | Yes (+1) |
| HR ≥110 during 3-min walk (or too ill to walk) | Yes (+1) |
| New ischemic ECG changes | Yes (+2) |
| Urea ≥12 mmol/L (~BUN ≥33 mg/dL) | Yes (+1) |
| Serum CO₂ / bicarbonate ≥35 mmol/L | Yes (+2) |
| Troponin I/T elevated to MI level | Yes (+2) |
| NT-proBNP ≥5000 ng/L (optional validation item) | Yes (+1) |
→OHFRS15points
- Cue：≥3 — higher SAE risk; admission strongly favored
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Does Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (OHFRS) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (OHFRS) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: History of stroke or TIA No (0), History of intubation for respiratory distress No (0), Heart rate ≥110 on ED arrival No (0), SaO₂ <90% on arrival No (0), HR ≥110 during 3-min walk (or too ill to walk) No (0), New ischemic ECG changes No (0), Urea ≥12 mmol/L (~BUN ≥33 mg/dL) No (0), Serum CO₂ / bicarbonate ≥35 mmol/L No (0)… → Result: OHFRS 0 points（Cue: 0–1 — lower SAE risk band; discharge only if clinically stable with follow-up） Inputs: History of stroke or TIA Yes (+1), History of intubation for respiratory distress Yes (+2), Heart rate ≥110 on ED arrival Yes (+2), SaO₂ <90% on arrival Yes (+1), HR ≥110 during 3-min walk (or too ill to walk) Yes (+1), New ischemic ECG changes Yes (+2), Urea ≥12 mmol/L (~BUN ≥33 mg/dL) Yes (+1), Serum CO₂ / bicarbonate ≥35 mmol/L Yes (+2)… → Result: OHFRS 15 points（Cue: ≥3 — higher SAE risk; admission strongly favored）