1. What is the METs Score?

METs (Metabolic Equivalents) score estimates the metabolic cost of physical activities and is used to assess functional capacity before surgery. It helps evaluate a patient's cardiovascular fitness and surgical risk.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the METs equation:

Where:

• \( T \) — Time in minutes

Explanation: The equation calculates the metabolic equivalent based on the duration of activity, with higher values indicating better functional capacity.

3. Importance of METs Calculation

Details: METs score is crucial for preoperative assessment. Patients with METs <4 have increased perioperative cardiac risk, while those with METs >10 can generally tolerate even high-risk surgery.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the time in minutes (must be >0). The calculator will compute the METs score based on the duration of activity.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good METs score for surgery?
A: Generally, >4 METs is acceptable for low-risk surgery, while >10 METs indicates good functional capacity for higher-risk procedures.

Q2: How is time measured for METs calculation?
A: Time refers to the duration of sustained activity, typically measured during exercise stress testing.

Q3: What activities correspond to specific METs values?
A: 1 MET is resting. 4 METs = climbing a flight of stairs. 10 METs = strenuous sports like swimming or singles tennis.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: Yes, individual variations exist. Clinical correlation with patient history and physical exam is always necessary.

Q5: Should this be used alone for surgical clearance?
A: No, METs score should be part of a comprehensive preoperative assessment including other risk factors.